Gezicht over de Theems bij Great Marlow before 1867

This is a photograph of the Thames at Great Marlow, captured by Francis Frith, a prominent British photographer of the Victorian era. During a time when the Empire was expanding, Frith made his name by documenting scenes from abroad and the UK. This image, part of a book, presents an idyllic view of the river. Yet, it prompts us to consider whose stories are missing. Who labored to build the boats, or lived in the houses seen along the river? The Thames was not just a source of beauty but also a working river, a site of commerce and labor. Frith’s images, while visually appealing, often romanticize the landscape, overlooking the social and economic realities of the time. They remind us to seek out the diverse narratives that coexist within a single place. Consider the lives intertwined with the river, both visible and unseen, as you reflect on this image. What does it mean to see a landscape and consider the stories it holds beyond the picturesque?