Broadstairs, engraved by J.C. Bentley 1836

Editor: This is "Broadstairs", an engraving by J.C. Bentley after Clarkson Stanfield. It depicts a coastal scene with figures and boats. The textures are so detailed, but the mood is somber. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a representation of the ever-changing relationship between humanity and the sea, but also a commentary on class. Who has access to the sea, and who is exploited by it? The labor is visible. What narratives do you imagine for these anonymous figures? Editor: I hadn't considered the social commentary, I was focusing on the aesthetic. I suppose the labor is visible, and it does feel… precarious. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! It urges us to consider the unseen structures that shape our world. Food for thought.