A Pele Tower and a Village Church 

Editor: This is William Tomkins’ "A Pele Tower and a Village Church," made with watercolor. It feels serene, almost like a postcard. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the lingering influence of the picturesque movement. How does Tomkins’ depiction of rural England idealize a social hierarchy, with the church and defensive tower as central, legitimizing institutions? Note the figures on the road—are they part of this constructed vision? Editor: So, it's not just a pretty landscape, but a statement about power? Curator: Precisely. The positioning of the church and tower subtly reinforces a sense of established order. Consider how the art market and patronage systems of the time shaped what Tomkins chose to portray. Editor: I never considered the market’s influence. It makes me see the painting in a completely different light! Curator: Indeed, art is always shaped by the world around it.