The Cyfing Falls. Capel Curig before 1891

This is a print of The Cyfing Falls at Capel Curig, made by an anonymous artist. The scene depicts a waterfall, and a small man-made structure, possibly a bridge or shelter, integrated into the landscape. The image is part of a book, and so its meaning is shaped by this specific institutional framework, where it is presented alongside a written text that offers an interpretation of what is being shown. Prints such as this one catered to a growing market for picturesque views of Britain's natural scenery, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As travel became easier and more fashionable, images of beauty spots helped construct ideas of national identity. Historians of art and culture use guidebooks, travel accounts, and other printed materials to understand the context in which such images were produced and consumed. In this way, we can appreciate how images shape and reflect our understanding of the world.