White Mountains 1874

Henry Hill created this etching of the White Mountains sometime in the mid-18th century. This was a period when landscape prints began to offer a sense of place, helping to define national identity through scenery. The image evokes a tranquil scene of grazing cattle and rural life at the edge of a majestic mountain range. Consider how this imagery promotes a vision of agricultural prosperity and harmonious co-existence with nature. The image would have circulated in the form of illustrated books, decorative prints, and cartographic surveys. Prints like this offer a fascinating resource for social historians. By looking at the visual codes and cultural references, we can start to understand the complex social, economic, and political context in which they were produced and consumed. Through a closer examination of such artworks, we can gain valuable insights into the power of images in shaping perceptions and values in 18th-century society.