Berglandschap met weg c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph, "Berglandschap met weg" - or "Mountain landscape with road" in English - by Poulton, invites us to consider the relationship between art, literature, and the cultural values of its time. The image, bound within the pages of a book, immediately highlights the institutional context of art. Is it a commentary on the romanticism prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th century, the period in which, I believe, this image was created? The stark, almost ethereal landscape, hints at the sublime, a popular theme of the era. Juxtaposed with the adjacent text, “The Departure of Summer”, which speaks of sorrow and farewells, the image creates a melancholic mood, a common sensibility in Victorian society. To fully understand this work, further research into the cultural milieu of Poulton's time is essential. By examining literary trends, social attitudes, and the role of photography in visual culture, we can better grasp its intended meaning and significance. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's a product of its time, shaped by societal norms, beliefs, and institutions.