Pilgrim with a Staff c. 18th century

Curator: Richard Dalton’s “Pilgrim with a Staff” presents us with a figure both timeless and burdened by history, doesn't it? Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the weight of the etching lines, the way they create such a tangible sense of age and hardship. Curator: Indeed, the pilgrim archetype has been used through the ages to represent journeys of spiritual or political consequence. What readings emerge for you? Is this figure, perhaps, a refugee? A religious dissenter? Editor: The staff itself speaks volumes about reliance on basic resources, and the labor and resourcefulness required for survival. But let's not forget the material constraints of the etching process. The line work evokes a sense of scarcity, yet also highlights the deliberate and painstaking work involved. Curator: Considering the historical moment, and the artist's location, do you think the work acts as a commentary on the increasing displacement of peoples and the changing landscape of power? Editor: It is a testament to how materiality and subject matter intertwine, creating a poignant narrative of resilience born from constraint. Curator: A vital consideration; the enduring power of individuals persevering through upheaval. Editor: Indeed, seeing the past in the present, etched in brown ink.