Rivaulx Abbey 18th-19th century

Editor: This is Paul Sandby Munn's "Rivaulx Abbey." It is undated and held by the Harvard Art Museums. It gives me a wistful feeling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a romanticized vision of ruins, a common theme in British art as monasteries were dissolved. Munn's choice to depict it highlights the public's fascination with history. Editor: So the artwork is more about the cultural perception of the past than the Abbey itself? Curator: Precisely. It reflects a specific societal lens through which ruins became picturesque symbols. Editor: That really shifts how I see it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s about understanding how art is shaped by and shapes cultural narratives.