Ruining the view

nigelswift Jul 24, 2006 14:19:38

There's a discussion elsewhere about roads, power stations etc ruining the view and setting of ancient sites.

Looking at it the other way, are there many instances of ancient sites spoiling the view? I suspect there aren't that many.

Or is that just modern eyes being forgiving towards everything antique? Were hillforts vandalism once?

CianMcLiam Jul 24, 2006 14:26:06

Replying to nigelswift

Its also possible that 'the view' is a modern creation. Before the classic romantic landscape painters like Constable et al, wild and remote places were not places of beauty, they were seen as dangerous and untamed, something to be fearful of even. Religion and portraiture were the two main themes of art until that time and landscape painting where the land was the subject and not just a background was pretty novel.

BuckyE Jul 28, 2006 05:58:57

Replying to nigelswift

Well, it depends on from where you're viewing. A view of a landscape that contains an ancient site is always charming. But the view of a landscape from within an ancient site is often nonexistent, or at least largely constrained.