Gezicht op Windsor Castle 1841 - 1885

This is an anonymous print of Windsor Castle. It offers us a window into the ways stately architecture reinforces societal power structures, inviting us to consider the castle not just as stone and mortar but as a symbol of class and empire. Consider the social context of this image and the subjects depicted outside the castle. Note that the image is not focused on the working class. These are members of the gentry or the aristocracy enjoying what seems to be a leisurely promenade. The castle looms large, a stoic witness to the ebb and flow of English history. It embodies ideals of permanence and authority, subtly shaping perceptions of national identity and class hierarchy. The choice to depict Windsor Castle is a political statement. It reflects the values and priorities of its time, subtly shaping our understanding of national identity and the enduring power of social class.