Vivien and Merlin 

Editor: Here we have Gustave Dore's drawing, "Vivien and Merlin." It looks like it was part of a larger series of Arthurian illustrations. There's a haunting mood about it. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Immediately, I think about the power dynamics at play. We see Merlin, traditionally a figure of immense power and knowledge, rendered vulnerable, almost childlike, in Vivien's embrace. Considering Dore created this in the context of 19th-century Europe, a period defined by strict gender roles and anxieties surrounding female agency, how might Vivien's dominance over Merlin challenge prevailing societal norms? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought of it in terms of those power dynamics. I just assumed it was a simple scene from the legends. Curator: It's also vital to look at who is missing and not represented: Where is Arthur? Why is Vivien not Morgan Le Fay, Merlin's traditional and older enemy, a powerful elder and his intellectual match? Focusing on this narrative is no accident. Who would this appeal to, and why this framing? Editor: So you are asking, essentially, how the image reflects anxieties present during the Victorian Era, and how it tries to re-write older stories and roles of women in culture? Curator: Exactly. Dore’s choice to depict Vivien as the controlling figure can be read as a commentary on contemporary debates about female influence, education, and access to power. Perhaps she represents a threat, or is she just trying to take her due? Think about that the next time you see other male/female subject pairings. Editor: That’s given me a completely different way of seeing not just this work, but others too. Thanks for sharing your insights. Curator: It's crucial we unpack those underlying narratives and question what they tell us about society, then and now. Hopefully we all keep reflecting.