Evening c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edward Goodall’s "Evening." It's a print, undated, but the scene of a hunt with riders and hounds feels very traditional, almost like a staged tableau. What can you tell me about the public function of artworks like this? Curator: It’s interesting you call it a tableau. Consider how prints like this, reproduced and disseminated, served to reinforce social hierarchies. Hunting, after all, was a pastime of the elite, and these images visually codified those power dynamics. Notice the idealized landscape, almost like a backdrop. Who is included, who is excluded? Editor: So, the print isn’t just about the hunt itself, but about showcasing a certain lifestyle and its associated privileges? Curator: Precisely. And the widespread circulation of such imagery normalizes that lifestyle, making it seem natural and desirable, especially to those excluded from it. It speaks volumes about the politics of representation. What do you make of that? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's more than just a pretty scene; it’s a statement about power. Curator: Exactly, the medium can influence public opinion and reinforce the status quo. Seeing the social context sharpens our understanding.