The Rocky Valley, Near Tintagel 1897

Editor: This is Joseph Pennell's "The Rocky Valley, Near Tintagel," and the detail in the etching is astounding. It almost feels like a dreamscape. What symbols or imagery stand out to you? Curator: The winding path immediately captures my attention. Consider how the path, often a symbol of life's journey, leads the eye toward the sea, which frequently embodies the unknown or the eternal. Editor: So the valley isn't just a landscape? Curator: Precisely. Pennell also evokes a sense of cultural memory by depicting Tintagel, a place steeped in Arthurian legend. The rocks, too, could represent challenges or foundations upon which we build. What do you make of the light? Editor: It does add a sense of hope and guidance! I never thought about the path in that way before. Thanks for sharing your insights.