Gezicht op Rydal Water en Nab Scar in het Lake District in Engeland c. 1857 - 1867

Garnett and Sproat captured this photograph of Rydal Water and Nab Scar in England's Lake District, using a photographic process that was still relatively new. The rise of photography in the mid-19th century coincided with changing ideas about art, nature, and access to both. As picturesque landscapes became more widely available through mass reproduction, so did the ability to experience and consume them. The Lake District, in particular, became a popular destination for tourists, drawn by the romantic ideal of the sublime and beautiful in nature. This image presents an interesting case study in the democratizing potential of photography. It also suggests how these new technologies could be used to reinforce existing social hierarchies through controlled access to representation and the means of production. Further research into Garnett and Sproat, the institutions they were associated with, and the audience for their work would provide greater insight into the social and cultural context of this image.