Caswell 1853 - 1856

John Dillwyn Llewelyn made this photograph, titled "Caswell," sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s an image of the Welsh coastline, capturing the rugged beauty of Caswell Bay. But beyond the immediate aesthetic appeal, this photograph speaks to the burgeoning culture of leisure and tourism in Victorian Britain. The development of photography as a medium coincided with the rise of the middle class, who had both the means and the inclination to explore and document the world around them. Llewelyn, himself a wealthy landowner, was part of a social circle that embraced photography as both an art form and a scientific tool. Caswell Bay, like many other picturesque locations, became a destination for those seeking respite from urban life. Images like this played a role in shaping perceptions of landscape, promoting a romanticized view of nature that was increasingly at odds with the realities of industrialization. By studying photographs like this alongside travel guides, literature, and other historical documents, we can gain a richer understanding of the social and cultural forces that shaped Victorian society.