Much Wenlock Priory, Shropshire c. 1797

Curator: This is Thomas Girtin’s pencil sketch, "Much Wenlock Priory, Shropshire," part of the Tate collection. Editor: It feels almost ghostly, with those pale lines barely defining the architecture. Curator: Girtin was working at a time of significant social upheaval, including the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. These ruins became symbols of both religious and political shifts. Editor: The arches and towers still evoke a sense of reverence, even in their deteriorated state. They remind us that sacred spaces hold meaning for generations. Curator: Absolutely, and Girtin's rendering invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of power and belief, the continual re-shaping of landscapes and ideologies. Editor: Seeing it like this, I'm more aware of how even ruins tell stories, carrying the weight of history.