St Margaret’s, at Cliff, near Dover, Kent 

Editor: Here we have Edward Blore's "St Margaret’s, at Cliff, near Dover, Kent." It's a detailed image of a church, but it looks quite ruined. How does the history of the site inform the artwork? Curator: Blore, a noted architectural draughtsman, often depicted buildings in a state of picturesque decay. He captured how structures reflect the passage of time and changing social uses, prompting viewers to reflect on institutional history. Editor: So, he's not just documenting, but making a statement? Curator: Precisely! The ruin becomes a symbol of shifting power, the ebb and flow of religious and social influence, a stark commentary on the public role of such institutions. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at a building. It gives the image a whole new layer of meaning. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to ask: who controlled this space, and why is it now in such a state?