Dripping Well, Hastings c. 19th century

Editor: This is George Baxter’s "Dripping Well, Hastings". It reminds me of a scene from a Jane Austen novel. What's your take on its historical context? Curator: Baxter was a pioneer in color printing. This piece reflects the rising middle class and their aspirations for leisure and culture. Do you notice how the figures are arranged? Editor: Yes, they’re very deliberately placed, almost staged. Curator: Precisely. It speaks to the performative aspect of leisure, the act of being seen enjoying nature, which was becoming increasingly important in shaping social status. Editor: I didn't think about it that way. I was too busy noticing the dog. Curator: The dog might be part of it; but that's something we can talk about later. Editor: Fascinating. It's more than just a pretty picture then. Curator: Exactly. Art often reflects and shapes social narratives.