Warwick Castle from the Lodge Hill, plate 1 1776

"Warwick Castle from the Lodge Hill, plate 1" was etched by Paul Sandby in the late 18th century. The print offers a picturesque view of Warwick Castle, set within an idealized landscape. Sandby, often referred to as the 'father of English watercolor', created this image during a period of significant social and economic change in Britain. As the aristocracy maintained their power, their great estates became symbols of wealth, heritage, and national identity. The print, dedicated to the Earl of Warwick, reflects this dynamic, celebrating aristocratic lineage while subtly nodding to the labor that sustains such grandeur. Notice how the workers are part of a decorative landscape, not the focus of it. Sandby's work invites us to consider how landscapes are not just beautiful scenes, but also carefully constructed representations of power, class, and the complex relationship between people and the land.