Sketch for ‘The Death of Cordelia’ c. 1858

Curator: Paul Falconer Poole's study, ‘Sketch for ‘The Death of Cordelia’’, presents a tragic moment in muted tones. What strikes you about this initial composition? Editor: It feels intensely somber; the figures are cloaked in shadow, which lends an air of inevitability to the scene. The earth tones reinforce the sense of finality. Curator: Absolutely. Cordelia’s death, drawn from Shakespeare’s King Lear, becomes a focal point for exploring themes of filial duty and the consequences of power dynamics. The image of the fallen daughter resonates with centuries of art depicting female suffering. Editor: Yes, and the symbolic weight of Cordelia's body as a representation of innocence betrayed cannot be ignored. That single figure becomes a vessel of morality within a corrupt world. Curator: Indeed. The sketch acts as a microcosm of societal ills, exploring themes of injustice. Editor: I am left pondering the cyclical nature of such stories, how the past continues to inform our present. Curator: A stark reminder that these narratives still resonate deeply within our collective consciousness.