The Gravel Diggers 

Editor: Here we have George Morland’s “The Gravel Diggers,” an undated oil on canvas. It feels like a very Romantic depiction of rural life, but the labourers look rather… unglamorous. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting you say that. Morland was known for sentimental depictions of rural life, but there's a tension here. Look at the composition: the figures are small, almost overwhelmed by the landscape. What does that suggest about their social standing? Editor: That they are part of the landscape, perhaps? And their labour is not seen as glorious but rather as essential. Curator: Precisely. Morland is not just showing us pretty scenery; he is showing us the base of England’s economy. The labour that is needed to provide this romantic lifestyle for the upper classes. What do you think? Editor: I see it now, I was too focused on the romanticism! It does seem to make a statement about social hierarchy and what is valued in society. Curator: Exactly. Art is always a product of its time, showing us the political, cultural, and societal tensions.