Gezicht op de kerk van Cilgerran before 1867

This is Charles Allen’s photogravure, “Gezicht op de kerk van Cilgerran,” of Cilgerran Castle in Wales. Appearing within the pages of a book, this image exists both as a representation and a fragment of history. The castle, now in ruins, evokes a sense of time and loss. Consider its history: built by the Normans, contested by the Welsh, and eventually left to decay. This speaks to larger themes of power, conflict, and cultural identity that resonate throughout British history. Allen's choice to capture the castle in a state of ruin is poignant. Is this a visual metaphor for the decline of Norman power, or perhaps a romanticized vision of Welsh resistance? The image invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and remembered and whose are lost to the passage of time. Notice how the photogravure process itself—with its tonal range and delicate details—lends a sense of nostalgia to the scene. What emotions does it evoke in you?