Charter House, Built 1695, Greenough Lane 1891

Curator: This etching by Henry Robertson, likely created in the early 20th century, depicts the Charter House, built in 1695, on Greenough Lane. It's a small work, roughly 15 by 20 centimeters. Editor: It has a certain somber quality, doesn't it? The stark lines and the way the building seems almost hunched over, it evokes a sense of the past weighing heavily. Curator: The dense cross-hatching really emphasizes the weathered texture of the building's wooden facade, the labor inherent in its construction, and subsequent decay. Think of the materials used. Editor: Absolutely. And I think about who lived and worked in spaces like this. The building's presence also speaks to urban development, and what’s been lost over time with the changing cityscape. Curator: It’s a humble portrayal, isn't it? Editor: Yes, definitely a work that allows us to consider histories of place. Curator: It’s a poignant reminder of how materials and social history intertwine. Editor: Indeed. This etching really provokes reflection on the layers of time embedded within architecture.