Death of Beckett 18th-19th century

Curator: James Stow created this image, "Death of Beckett," sometime between 1770 and 1820. Editor: It’s immediately striking – the intense drama and violence depicted. The figures are tightly packed, almost claustrophobic. Curator: The image depicts the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, a direct challenge to the power of King Henry II. Editor: Yes, I see how Beckett's raised hand mirrors centuries of depictions of martyrdom. Is he accepting his fate, or reaching out for divine intervention? Curator: Becket's defiance against secular authority made him a symbol of the Church's power, and that resonates through centuries of struggles against oppression. Editor: And the murderers, looming over him, represent the abuse of power, but also perhaps the fear of a strong, independent religious figure. Their faces are so consumed by rage. Curator: This image raises questions about how power, faith, and violence intersect. Editor: Absolutely. It's a powerful image, laden with symbolism and historical weight. Curator: It’s certainly a complex depiction of a pivotal moment in history.