Gezicht op een pad langs een meer op het landgoed van George Gill Green in Woodbury before 1889

This anonymous photograph captures a serene view of a path alongside a lake on George Gill Green's estate in Woodbury. Without knowing the specific year, we can still consider the historical context of estates like Green's. These were often built on wealth accumulated during periods of significant social inequality. The manicured landscapes, like the one seen here, reflect a carefully constructed image of power and privilege, especially during a time of vast disparities in land ownership and access to nature. Who had the leisure to stroll along such a path, and who maintained it? What were the sources of wealth that made this possible? While the scene is outwardly peaceful, it invites us to reflect on the complex layers of history and power embedded in such spaces. It reminds us that even the most beautiful landscapes can be products of social and economic structures that are far from equitable.