Gezicht op het strand en de boulevard van Eastbourne met links de Wish Tower c. 1860 - 1870

This photograph shows the beach and promenade of Eastbourne, England, with the Wish Tower in the distance to the left, and was made by H.C. Inskipp. The image speaks to the rise of seaside resorts in the 19th century, catering to a burgeoning middle class with leisure time and disposable income. Eastbourne, like many coastal towns, transformed itself into a destination for health and relaxation. The Wish Tower, initially a defensive structure, becomes a picturesque element in this new landscape of leisure. The photograph, through its composition, highlights the constructed nature of this environment, with the built structures of the promenade contrasting with the natural elements of the beach and sea. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social and economic forces that shaped Victorian society and the institutional structures that promoted and profited from the commodification of leisure. Resources in local archives and historical societies might reveal more about Eastbourne's development and Inskipp's role in documenting it. By examining photographs such as this, we gain insight into the complex relationship between art, society, and the construction of place.