Near Wellington, Shropshire 1821

Editor: So, this is "Near Wellington, Shropshire," a print and lithograph drawing made with charcoal on paper, created in 1821 by Francis Nicholson. It has this really ominous feel to it. I mean, the plumes of smoke dominate the landscape...it's quite overwhelming. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, consider the socio-political climate of 1821 in England. The Industrial Revolution was transforming the landscape, both literally and figuratively. What Nicholson presents is less a picturesque landscape, and more a record of a society wrestling with the consequences of industrial progress. Notice how the factory, the engine of this change, looms over a seemingly more traditional settlement. What story might Nicholson be telling us through this visual juxtaposition? Editor: I guess the contrast shows the disruption. But shouldn’t art be portraying something beautiful instead of something…unsettling? Curator: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in this era, there was an increasing recognition that even the harsh realities of industrial life could be subjects of artistic inquiry. Nicholson is participating in a visual conversation about England's identity, it’s heading in a bold direction. How does placing this in a museum change the meaning, do you think? Editor: That’s true...by displaying it in a museum, it's almost like granting historical significance to a scene of industrial pollution. Like it is something of profound social consequence to study and to contemplate. Curator: Exactly. The museum context elevates what might have been dismissed, to the level of historical document and social commentary. Perhaps this image helped fuel public discourse. What a fascinating thing. Editor: It’s certainly given me a lot to think about – especially about how art interacts with society. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing art through the lens of history opens up a world of possibilities.