Magdalen Tower 

Curator: John Baptist Malchair's delicate etching, "Magdalen Tower," presents a serene view of the Oxford landmark. Editor: It feels so...quiet. A tranquil scene, but there's also a sense of almost haunting stillness to it, like a memory fading. Curator: Malchair, active in Oxford's artistic circles, frequently depicted the city's architecture. His work contributed to the visual identity and pride of place prevalent at the time. Editor: It makes me wonder about access. Who had the leisure to be rowed on the river, admiring the tower? Whose gaze is prioritized in this image, and whose labor made it possible? Curator: Indeed, Malchair's landscapes often obscure the realities of labor and social division, portraying a romanticized version of Oxford life. Editor: Still, it's a powerful reminder that even seemingly placid images carry complex narratives about power, privilege, and representation.