The Banks of the Severn, near Winterdyne c. 1862

Major Francis Gresley captured *The Banks of the Severn, near Winterdyne* using photography, a relatively new medium for artistic expression in the 19th century. Born into a world of rigid social structures, Gresley, as a major, occupied a distinct position within the British class system. This photograph invites us to consider the interplay between nature, social class, and identity in Victorian England. The picturesque scene, framed by trees, reflects the Romantic era's fascination with nature. Yet, this idealized view often masked the social realities of the time, including issues of land ownership and the labor of the working class who maintained these landscapes. As you gaze at this photograph, consider its connection to contemporary issues of environmentalism and social justice. Whose perspectives are often missing from these idyllic representations of nature? How do our own identities shape our interpretations of such scenes? The photograph acts as a mirror, reflecting both the beauty and the complex social dynamics of its time.