Impost of North Doorway of West Front of Lincoln Cathedral c. 1885

Curator: Charles Herbert's rendering of the "Impost of North Doorway of West Front of Lincoln Cathedral" captures a fragment of Gothic architecture with striking detail. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The interplay of light and shadow gives it an almost dreamlike quality, as if the stone itself is breathing. What sociopolitical context informed the creation of such magnificent structures? Curator: The cathedral, and by extension, this drawing, speaks to the immense power the church held. It's a visualization of faith translated into architectural dominance. Editor: How does Herbert's choice of medium—pencil, it appears—mediate our understanding? The grayscale seems to flatten the image, removing the color and vibrancy often associated with depictions of power. Curator: The precision in Herbert's line work underscores the dedication to craftsmanship, reflecting the value placed on skilled labor, which was often inaccessible to marginalized groups. Editor: In a way, it feels like a critique, highlighting the tension between the idealized vision of faith and the concrete inequalities of its production. It's amazing how a simple sketch can stir so many reflections. Curator: Indeed, viewing it today through the lens of identity and power adds another layer to its complex narrative.