Class, nation and localism in the Northumberland art world, 1820-1939'
This study examines county identity in the art culture of Britain between c. 1820 and 1939. In doing so it tests the validity of the prevailing historiography of culture. This historiography emphasizes the growth of the state, homogenization of class identity and the importance of 'Britishness'. This thesis examines the historiography in relation to the artistic community of Northumberland between the establishment of the Northumberland Institution for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in 1822 and the Second World War. It argues that county identity, its forms and its survival, were as much due to internal factors as nationwide trends. It also asserts that much of the relevant historiography needs to be adapted to take into account the continuing strength of county identity and needs to see this county identity as often being as important as class in all areas of the art world. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the progression towards a 'nationalization of culture' was not always smooth or one way and that the idea of a growth in 'Englishness' and class identity needs to be reviewed.
Mumba, Rachel
Class, nation and localism in the Northumberland art world, 1820-1939'. This study examines county identity in the art culture of Britain between c. 1820 and 1939. In doing so it tests the validity of the prevailing historiography of culture. This historiography emphasizes the growth of the state, homogenization of class identity and the importance of 'Britishness'. This thesis examines the historiography in relation to the artistic community of Northumberland between the establishment of the Northumberland Institution for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in 1822 and the Second World War. It argues that county identity, its forms and its survival, were as much due to internal factors as nationwide trends. It also asserts that much of the relevant historiography needs to be adapted to take into account the continuing strength of county identity and needs to see this county identity as often being as important as class in all areas of the art world. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the progression towards a 'nationalization of culture' was not always smooth or one way and that the idea of a growth in 'Englishness' and class identity needs to be reviewed.
class nation localism northumberland art world study_examines county identity art culture britain test_validity prevail historiography culture historiography emphasize growth state class_identity importance examines historiography relation artistic community northumberland establishment northumberland institution promotion fine arts second_world_war argue county identity form survival much due internal factor nationwide trend also assert much relevant historiography need adapt take_account continue strength county identity need see county identity often important class area art world furthermore demonstrate progression towards culture always smooth one_way idea growth englishness class_identity need review