Kilcairn Castle in Loch Awe c. 18th century

Editor: This is William Ellis's "Kilcairn Castle in Loch Awe," made sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It feels very romantic, almost melancholic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This image speaks to the power dynamics inherent in landscape representation. The castle, a symbol of authority, is softened, even made picturesque. Who gets to control this narrative? Who is absent from this scene? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a pretty picture, but a statement about power? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to question whose perspective is being privileged and whose stories remain untold. Editor: That definitely gives me a new way to look at it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's about seeing beyond the surface.