[title not known] 1803 - 1805

Curator: Here we have a sketch by Joshua Cristall, active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The work is an untitled study of Dolbadarn Castle rendered in graphite on paper. Editor: It’s haunting, isn’t it? The castle appears almost spectral, a ghost of its former self sketched with such fragile lines. Curator: Indeed. Cristall’s emphasis on line and tonal variation creates a sense of depth and volume within the castle ruins. Note how the hatching technique defines the form. Editor: But it also speaks to the ruin's history, doesn't it? Castles like Dolbadarn were symbols of power, often built on indigenous lands. Cristall’s wispy lines hint at the erosion of that power, the inevitable decay of empire. Curator: An astute point. Cristall's careful articulation of light and shadow does evoke a sense of time and decay. Editor: Ultimately, it's a powerful reminder of history's weight, etched in graphite. Curator: A poignant reflection that marries formal rendering with historical reflection.