Outskirts of a Wood, with Gypsies 1843

David Cox painted ‘Outskirts of a Wood, with Gypsies,’ presenting an unassuming view of the English countryside in an indistinct year. Yet, the presence of gypsies at the edge of the trees, both blends in with and contrasts the rest of the scene. In 19th century England, the Romani people were often viewed with suspicion. Laws regulating transient groups had existed since the Tudor era and were selectively enforced. Cox’s painting doesn’t directly confront such laws or prejudices, but it subtly challenges them. By placing the Romani figures within the broader, natural landscape, he suggests their inherent connection to England, a kind of belonging that was frequently denied to them socially and politically. Analyzing paintings like these, one can look at a range of historical documents. Court records can show the treatment of Romani people under the law. Census data can reveal settlement patterns. Literary sources can give insight into popular perceptions. By looking at the social context, the art historian sheds light on the complex relationship between art and social reality.