Tintern Abbey 1860 - 1894

Curator: Looking at this print of Tintern Abbey by Francis Bedford, made sometime between 1860 and 1894, what immediately comes to mind for you? Editor: It's evocative, almost ghostly. The ruins stand proud, yet they're clearly surrendering to nature. A very romantic image. Curator: Indeed. Bedford, a prominent photographer of his time, skillfully captured this medieval ruin within a landscape. He used the albumen print method, lending this photograph a sepia tonality. Editor: That tone definitely adds to its atmosphere. The Abbey is placed within a wider cultural context: think of Romantic poets like Wordsworth who were drawn to such landscapes and ruins as emblems of a bygone era. The picture’s appeal is enhanced by that literary association. Curator: Precisely. The ruins themselves speak volumes, beyond aesthetics. Tintern Abbey was dissolved in 1536 during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was a turning point, shifting the religious and social landscape of England forever. What meanings and symbolism are evident to you? Editor: Decay, inevitably. But I also see resilience. Even in ruin, the Abbey retains its imposing presence, a symbol of the Church's enduring impact even after its physical dismantling by the state. The climbing plants seem to want to cover up the loss that this once-active place of worship signifies. It seems that they have, since time itself, almost reverentially adorned what’s left of it. Curator: That is something that should be pondered on further. I think this piece helps us consider how architectural photography of ruins not only preserves historical imagery, but it actively participates in creating our understanding of history. We’re witnessing Bedford's 19th-century lens shaping our present perceptions of medieval history, as we can feel the echoes of its sociopolitical past, reverberating within us. Editor: Absolutely, photography does more than merely record, doesn't it? This image encapsulates so much of our understanding of romanticism and even social power dynamics of British history.