Cultural identities and the aesthetics of Britishness

Book excerpt: Considers how notions of Britishness were constructed and promoted through architecture, landscape, painting, sculpture and literature. Maps important moments in the self-conscious evolution of the idea of ‘nation’ against a broad cultural historical framework. An important addition to the field of postcolonial studies as it looks at how British identity creation affected those living in England – most study in this area has thus far focused on the effect of such identity creation upon the colonial subject. Broad appeal due to wide subject matter covered. Examines just how ‘constructed’ a national identity is – past and present.