The Entrance to Worcester College 

Editor: Here we have Sir William Nicholson's "The Entrance to Worcester College." It's undated. The sepia tones create a real sense of age. What strikes you most about the piece? Curator: I see a fascinating tension between subject and method. Etching and drypoint, materials typically associated with mass reproduction, are used to depict an elite space. How does the print medium democratize or perhaps subvert the college's inherent exclusivity? Editor: That's a good point; I hadn't considered that! I was focused on the building itself. Curator: Consider the labor involved in producing multiple prints, compared to a unique painting. Is Nicholson commenting on the changing social fabric through his choice of media? Editor: So, the materials and process offer a commentary beyond just the image itself? Curator: Precisely. It’s about the means of production shaping our understanding of the subject. Editor: This gives me so much to think about; thank you for the insights! Curator: My pleasure. Looking at art through the lens of its making can reveal hidden layers of meaning.