Gezicht op de Theems bij Cleeve 1871

Henry Taunt captured this photograph, titled 'Gezicht op de Theems bij Cleeve', as part of his broader survey of the Thames. Taunt, a 19th-century photographer, documented the changing landscape and social life along the river. Photography at this time was not only a means of documentation, but also a way of shaping perceptions of place and identity. Consider the cultural narratives embedded in landscape photography of this era. How do they reflect ideas about progress, nature, and the relationship between people and their environment? Taunt’s images often present an idealized view of rural life, subtly reinforcing notions of English identity rooted in the land. Think about the gaze of the photographer and how it influences what is seen and what is left out. In what ways might Taunt's work engage with or depart from traditional representations? How might these images invite us to reflect on our own connections to place and history?