[title not known] c. 1789

Curator: Here we have a sketch, the work of Joseph Farington, who lived from 1747 to 1821. It’s a delicate rendering of a church, held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It feels like a whisper of a building, ethereal almost. The soft lines suggest a memory more than a solid structure. Curator: The church as a symbol carries centuries of meaning, from spiritual refuge to temporal power, often representing a community's collective identity. Editor: And here, in this sketch, that weight seems lifted. It's like the essence of the idea of a church. Stripped of its imposing physical presence, a gentle idea remains. Curator: Farington's choice to use such a light touch might reflect the shifting role of the church during his time. Editor: Perhaps a commentary on the fading grandeur of religious institutions? Or maybe just a beautiful drawing. Either way, it's a haunting little piece.