[title not known] Possibly 1843

Editor: This striking wood engraving, by John Linnell, depicts a rather violent scene. The stark contrast and dramatic composition create a really unsettling feeling. What do you make of it? Curator: It feels almost theatrical, doesn't it? This raw energy reminds me of Jacobean revenge tragedies; a moment frozen in time. See how the landscape both witnesses and seems indifferent to the human drama? What do you think that contrast might suggest? Editor: Perhaps the insignificance of human conflict against the backdrop of nature? It definitely gives me something to think about. Curator: Precisely! It’s a reminder that art, even in its darkest forms, can illuminate our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.