The Disentombment of Queen Matilda 1849

Curator: This is Sir John Everett Millais' "The Disentombment of Queen Matilda," currently held at the Tate. Editor: My goodness, what a flurry of emotions! I am struck by how this medium, only pencil on paper, conveys so much drama. Curator: Millais, who lived from 1829 to 1896, captures what must have been a rather macabre scene with a large crowd of onlookers from both sides. On the left are women and nuns, on the right are men in full armor. Editor: It's like a human wave, isn’t it? All these expressions, the horror, the morbid curiosity... Did Millais want us to consider the spectacle of death? I feel a tension, almost a distaste for the event being displayed. Curator: Perhaps. There's a critical element here of historical narrative being unveiled, but also the public aspect of royal events, even in death. Editor: Yes, one cannot help but wonder how this disentombment resonates within the larger scope of political and social life. Thanks for shedding light on this artwork. Curator: My pleasure. Hopefully, this conversation provided a new perspective.