Entrance to Henry VII's Chapel 1905

Curator: Here, we see Joseph Pennell's "Entrance to Henry VII's Chapel," housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as overwhelmingly somber, almost gothic in its shadowy presentation of architectural grandeur. Curator: Indeed. Pennell uses stark contrasts to emphasize the chapel's imposing structure, framing the subjects within a larger narrative of power and religious space. The composition directs our gaze upward, towards the entrance and the figures ascending the stairs. Editor: And yet, the figures are dwarfed, almost anonymous. It speaks to the overwhelming influence of the church in society, doesn't it? To Pennell, it is not about the people in the scene, but instead the imposing structure they inhabit. Curator: Precisely. It's a study in architectural dominance and the individuals' place within that constructed environment. Editor: A potent commentary on the church's historical presence. It's been very insightful to consider the power of the structure on display. Curator: A valuable analysis, exploring the relationship between form and historical context.