Back in the mid-19th century, an Italian landscape artist named Eugenio Landesio helped popularize the genre, nudging it from decoration toward the realm of fine art. José María Velasco, Landesio’s pupil at the Academy of San Carlos, followed in his footsteps. Around 1877, Velasco turned his focus to the Valley of Mexico, capturing its snow-crested mountains, the lush greenery surrounding San Antonio Coapa, and fiery sunsets at El Monte Calvario. Because of his work, Mexican geography began to stand in for the nation itself. On the occasion of 200 years of diplomatic relations between the U.K. and Mexico, this exhibition brings Velasco’s dramatic panoramas to rainy England. —Elena Clavarino