Coronation 1911

Editor: This is Joseph Pennell’s "Coronation," a drawing rendering of what appears to be a grand ceremony. The sheer scale of the architecture compared to the tiny figures makes me feel so small. What statements do you think Pennell is making with this composition? Curator: It's interesting that you mention scale. Consider how Pennell uses the cathedral’s architecture not just as a backdrop, but as a symbol of enduring power that dwarfs the individuals involved. It can be read as a subtle critique of the pomp and circumstance surrounding royalty, highlighting the ways in which institutions often overshadow individual lives and struggles. Editor: So, it is not necessarily a celebration? Curator: Perhaps Pennell is asking us to think critically about who benefits from such displays of power and how these historical rituals perpetuate certain social hierarchies. Editor: I never considered how political an image of a coronation could be. It's a great lesson in looking beyond the surface. Curator: Exactly. Art often invites us to question the stories we're told and to consider the perspectives that might be missing.