The Pilgrimage to Canterbury c. 1820

Editor: So, we are looking at "The Pilgrimage to Canterbury" by Thomas Stothard. It's a detailed engraving showing a large group on horseback. What's striking is the uniformity of the figures, yet each seems to have distinct clothing. What production values do you see at play here? Curator: The process of engraving itself is key; think about the labor involved in creating such detail, and how that labor connects to the story being told. Consider how the materials used – the metal plate, the ink, the paper – all contribute to the availability and consumption of this image, and thus the narrative itself. Editor: Interesting! I hadn't considered the medium impacting the story so directly. Curator: Indeed. The choice of engraving makes it reproducible, accessible. It transforms the pilgrimage into a commodity. Editor: That really shifts my understanding. Thanks for pointing out how materiality and production shape the narrative. Curator: My pleasure. It's about seeing how art is made and consumed within its time.