Durham House, Salisbury House and Worcester House on the Thames 1808

Editor: This is "Durham House, Salisbury House and Worcester House on the Thames," an etching by Wenceslaus Hollar, made in 1808. What strikes me is the almost photographic detail – an incredible document of these grand buildings, but strangely devoid of human life. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's more than a document, it's a whisper of a world. Those meticulous lines… they evoke a sense of longing for a bygone era, don't you think? The Thames isn't just a river, it’s a vein pulsing with the lifeblood of London. Hollar's neoclassicism grounds the cityscape. The details around each House even seem to narrate its story. Do you notice the way the light seems to reflect in the water and illuminates Salisbury House? It feels… purposeful. Editor: Absolutely. The reflection creates depth. The details are astonishing, almost like tiny portraits of each brick! But that makes me wonder, is Hollar simply recording what’s there, or is there something else at play? Is he editorializing, making these buildings more grandiose, perhaps? Curator: Oh, undoubtedly! It's a dance between reality and interpretation. Hollar isn't just showing us the buildings; he's inviting us to imagine the lives lived within those walls. Maybe even hinting at the power these houses held. That slight exaggeration, the careful lighting...it all contributes to a carefully constructed narrative. I wonder, does it feel like a eulogy, or a celebration? Editor: I think it’s both, actually! There's a fondness there, almost a nostalgia for their prime. Seeing the Houses through Hollar’s eyes has transformed the piece into more than a historical record. Curator: Exactly. The piece shows us more than physical buildings; it’s a doorway into history and imagination.