Blickling Hall, Norfolk c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have James Duffield Harding's rendering of Blickling Hall in Norfolk. The intricate detail achieved solely with monochrome values makes me wonder about the importance Harding placed on the texture and form of the architecture. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Observe how Harding's strategic deployment of hatching and cross-hatching articulates form and imbues the structure with a tangible mass. Note, too, how the varying densities of line not only model the architecture, but also create a sense of atmospheric perspective. The light almost feels structured. What does this suggest to you about the artist's intent? Editor: That Harding may have wanted to show the grandeur of the building? I will certainly pay more attention to line weight in other works now. Curator: Precisely. The emphasis on form and light suggests an interest in portraying the building's inherent structural qualities. A valuable insight, indeed.