Bishop's Bridge, Norwich c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Thomas Girtin’s “Bishop’s Bridge, Norwich.” The watercolor gives off a rather somber and romantic feeling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting to consider Girtin's positioning of the bridge as a connector, or perhaps a barrier, between different social spaces within Norwich. How does the architectural structure reflect the power dynamics of the time? Editor: So, it's not just a pretty picture of a bridge? Curator: Not at all. Notice how the light emphasizes certain areas, almost obscuring others. Who benefits from this illumination, and who is left in the shadows, literally and figuratively? Editor: I never considered that. I see the painting differently now! Curator: Exactly! Art invites us to question not just what is depicted, but also who is empowered by its depiction and the historical moment it represents.