Monument to Mrs. Thompson erected in the church of Great Malvern c. 19th century

Editor: This is Richard Austin's "Monument to Mrs. Thompson," made sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. The figure seems to be resting, but also looks melancholic. What societal messages were Austin trying to portray? Curator: Well, the monument's placement within the church is key. Who was Mrs. Thompson, and what role did monuments like this play in the social hierarchy of the time? Consider the power dynamics at play in memorializing someone this way. Editor: It definitely makes you think about who gets remembered and why. Curator: Exactly. The public display of grief and status was a carefully constructed performance. Something to keep in mind when viewing art of this era.