Shakesperes house, Stratford-on-Avon before 1864

Editor: Here we have an image titled "Shakesperes house, Stratford-on-Avon" from before 1864, attributed to Ernest Edwards. It appears to be an albumen print pasted into a book. It's intriguing to see this tilted close up view of the house, a fragment really. What does it make you think about? Curator: I see this image operating on a few different levels. It presents Shakespeare's house not just as a building, but as a cultural artifact, a symbol of national identity, perhaps even bardolatry, which became highly pronounced during the 19th century. Photography here is being deployed as a form of cultural documentation, aligning itself with a growing interest in preserving historical sites. It’s interesting to note its placement in the book - why this close up and tilted view instead of the whole building? Editor: That’s fascinating! I was so focused on the tilted perspective. It almost feels...unstable, not grand like I imagine they wanted people to view Shakespeare. Curator: Precisely! What do you think the act of documenting, photographing it and putting into the book says about its function and audience at the time? Editor: Well, I imagine making it available to a broader audience beyond those who could visit Stratford-upon-Avon, promoting a sense of shared national heritage. Curator: Exactly. The print within the book format also suggests a desire for permanence and wider distribution, indicating the growing role of visual media in constructing and disseminating cultural narratives. Were Shakespeare alive, he would certainly appreciate such effort dedicated to memorialising him. Editor: It really brings to light how art serves social and political agendas. Thank you, I wouldn't have thought about all of those things initially. Curator: My pleasure. It’s through understanding context that we unlock deeper meanings.