Saint Augustine’s Gate, Canterbury c. 1793

J.M.W. Turner captured Saint Augustine’s Gate in Canterbury with watercolor, reflecting the early 19th-century British fascination with ruins and history. Turner, born in a time of immense social change, often imbued his landscapes with commentary on the shifting world. Here, the crumbling gate isn't merely a historical relic, but a signifier of change, rendered in soft washes that evoke nostalgia and perhaps even loss. Consider the lone figure near the gate; they appear small against the backdrop of the decaying structure. One can not help but feel a sense of human insignificance in the face of time and historical forces. Turner’s approach invites us to consider the narratives we construct around our past and how these stories shape our present identities.