Design for the Pediment of Queen’s College, Oxford 1716

Editor: This is Sir James Thornhill’s "Design for the Pediment of Queen’s College, Oxford." It looks like a preliminary sketch, all delicate lines and annotations. What story do you think Thornhill is trying to tell here? Curator: It whispers of grand narratives, doesn't it? I see Britannia, enthroned, surrounded by figures of plenty and learning, symbols of what Queen's College aspired to be. It's a vision of power and knowledge, a Baroque dream etched in ink. Do you notice the meticulous annotations? Thornhill was truly crafting a symbolic language. Editor: I see that now. I guess I was too focused on the sketchiness. It’s amazing how much intention is packed into this little drawing. Curator: Exactly! It’s like a poem, where every line carries weight, promising a powerful experience. Seeing it this way, how would you describe the work now? Editor: A condensed epic, full of symbolism. I’ll never look at preliminary sketches the same way again!