Manerbawr Castle from the Inward Court 1775

Editor: So, this is Paul Sandby's "Manerbawr Castle from the Inward Court." It's an interesting print of a castle that seems to be in disrepair. What strikes me is the almost casual depiction of its decay alongside the everyday life of the figures in the foreground. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, it’s about power. Sandby, like many artists of his time, was deeply engaged in representing the social hierarchy. This wasn’t just a picturesque ruin; it was a commentary on changing social structures. The decaying castle represents the decline of feudalism, doesn’t it? Editor: That's a great point! The figures almost seem to be dismantling the castle, which could symbolize a literal dismantling of the old order. Curator: Precisely. And who benefits from that shift? Who gains power as the old order crumbles? Editor: Thinking about it that way really changes how I see it. It’s not just a landscape; it's a political statement. Curator: Exactly. Art is rarely ever just about aesthetics.