Memorial Sir. Barry Close, St. Mary's Cathedral, Madras 

Curator: We're looking at "Memorial Sir Barry Close, St. Mary's Cathedral, Madras," a neoclassical marble carving by John Flaxman. The work memorializes Major General Sir Barry Close, a prominent figure in the East India Company. Editor: Wow, there's so much happening! It has a very somber feel, maybe it's the monochrome look, but the array of figures kind of overwhelm you. Is that his bust at the top? It's pretty cool how it almost blends with the draped wings behind him. Curator: Exactly. Let's break it down. Above the central inscription, as you noted, a bust of Sir Barry is set against draped wings, common in memorial art. On either side of the tablet, note the rigid posture and contrapposto exhibited in the sculptures. Observe how they reflect Neoclassical ideals, referencing classical antiquity through their dignified stances. Editor: But below the tablet things get complicated. It is the contrast between these idealized military figures and the seated people below who almost look defeated that catches my attention. Curator: Indeed. Here, Flaxman offers a layered narrative. The seated figures arguably allude to Sir Barry Close's role in Indian history. These representations engage in the visual tropes of colonialism, portraying subjugated or grieving local populations under the rule of the British East India Company. It's a complex dynamic that requires a critical reading. Editor: I think it's very common to create works to commemorate war and honor generals but something feels a little disingenuous. Almost self-congratulatory? But I'm left wondering, where does the genuine grief for one's fallen peer mix with the need to legitimize actions to colonize a place? Curator: These ambiguities are exactly where the artwork generates continued conversations. Editor: Definitely, looking closely is to untangle our feelings toward that very specific time period, not to get at the reality, because let’s face it we’ll never have a full grasp of that.