Ex-Libris T. Sherwood 18th-19th century

Editor: This is an Ex-Libris by Thomas Bewick depicting a shield nestled in nature. It feels very symbolic. What social narratives do you see in this piece? Curator: Bookplates like this weren't just about ownership. They were assertions of identity and social standing. Who was allowed access to knowledge, and whose stories were considered worthy of preserving? Editor: So, it's about the politics of literacy? Curator: Precisely! And think about how this image contrasts the natural world with symbols of power. It seems like a very deliberate statement about the relationship between privilege and the land. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It changes everything. Curator: Exactly, and that's why context matters. We need to confront how even seemingly simple artworks can reflect complex social hierarchies.