Frankfurt 1840

Curator: This is William Callow's sketch, titled "Frankfurt," held here at the Tate. Editor: It feels like a memory, a ghostly impression of a city street fading into time. Curator: Callow, born in 1812, was quite fond of architectural subjects and landscapes; this particular sketch uses graphite on paper. Editor: The composition is striking. The buildings loom, almost pressing in on the viewer, and yet the light suggests a certain openness. What strikes me most is the linear perspective directing the gaze right to the back. Curator: Indeed, he masterfully uses line to create depth, inviting the viewer into the heart of Frankfurt, but I also think about it as an emotional space, not just a physical location. Editor: A fleeting moment, captured with such delicate precision. It makes me wonder what else Callow witnessed in that city. Curator: A beautiful reminder that even sketches can hold a powerful presence.