Tantallon Castle c. 19th century

Editor: This is Edward Goodall's "Tantallon Castle," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The stormy scene really captures a sense of drama. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the paper itself. Was it handmade, industrially produced? The labor involved in its creation, from the raw materials to the printing process, tells a story about the economics of art production at the time, and the role of printed images in disseminating ideas about landscape and national identity. Editor: So, by looking at the materials, we understand more about the context? Curator: Precisely. The print's accessibility reveals how images like this shaped perceptions of places like Tantallon Castle for a wider audience. Examining the means of production is key. Editor: I never thought about it that way. I will definitely keep the materiality and broader context of art in mind moving forward.