Tivoli 

Editor: This is "Tivoli" by Rev. William Henry Barnard. It's a pen and ink drawing, and I’m struck by its delicate, almost ephemeral quality. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering its production, think about the availability of paper and ink in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Who had access to these materials and the leisure to create such a drawing? This wasn't mass-produced. Editor: So, it's less about the scene itself, and more about the act of creating it, the materials, and the social context of the artist? Curator: Precisely. The work becomes a record of access and a demonstration of skill within a specific social class. The means inform our understanding. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It's about seeing beyond the surface.