Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, Looking West, engraved by John Le Keux Possibly 1809

Curator: This is an engraving of Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, Looking West. It was created by John Le Keux, after a drawing by Joseph Clarendon Smith, who was active at the turn of the 19th century. Editor: It’s such a densely worked image. I’m struck by the texture of the stone and the way the light filters through the ruined arches. The decay is really palpable. Curator: Indeed. This image taps into the Romantic fascination with ruins, where the abbey becomes a site of contemplation on history and time. The social function of ruins shifted as they became picturesque destinations. Editor: Absolutely. And it’s interesting how the engraving technique itself, the careful, repetitive labor, mimics the slow, relentless work of nature in reclaiming the abbey. Curator: The act of engraving also democratized the image; multiple copies allowed a broader public to access and appreciate these views. Editor: A compelling point. Seeing the hand of both the artist and time in this image gives me much to consider about labor and value. Curator: It highlights how art serves as a public good, shaping our perceptions of the past and present. Editor: And underscores the material processes by which those perceptions are forged. Thanks for the insight!