Summer Morning 1825 - 1835

David Lucas created this mezzotint titled "Summer Morning." The landscape speaks to the concerns of the emerging middle class in 19th century England, with its emphasis on nature, leisure and individual experience. As we can see, the image presents an idealized view of rural life, which reflects the cultural values of the time, but it also papers over the social realities of hardship experienced by many in the countryside. Lucas was part of a vibrant art world centred on institutions like the Royal Academy, whose values shaped artistic production. His work can be seen as both celebrating and critiquing the social structures of his time. Art historians consult period documents to understand the social conditions in which art is made, including letters, diaries, and economic records. By doing so, we are able to interpret the meaning of art as something rooted in its social and institutional context.