Ruins at Torre Wood 1842

Editor: This delicate pencil drawing, "Ruins at Torre Wood" by Aaron Edwin Penley, feels so immediate, like a snapshot. What strikes you about the materiality of this piece? Curator: The sketch's appeal lies in its directness. Penley's rapid marks and the visible process invite us to consider the labor involved. How does the depicted decay reflect the broader social and economic shifts of the time, with older structures giving way to new industries and ways of living? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I hadn't considered the economic factors at play when looking at a landscape. Thanks!