St Michael’s Mount, Normandy, from the West, engraved by A. Freebairn 1836

Editor: This is Clarkson Stanfield's "St Michael's Mount, Normandy, from the West," an engraving by A. Freebairn. It feels incredibly dramatic, like a scene from a historical epic. What story do you think it's telling? Curator: The story of resilience, maybe? Look at that Mount, defying the wild sea. Stanfield, ever the theatrical artist, probably wanted to capture the sheer power of nature against human endeavour. It is almost romantic! Editor: It makes you wonder about the lives within those walls, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely! I can almost feel the salt spray on my face, hear the wind whistling. Editor: I'll definitely see seascapes in a new light now. Curator: It’s about seeing what is permanent or at least lasting within the impermanence of nature. It all depends on the light.