Bolton Abbey in the Olden Time c. 19th century

Editor: This is William Turner Davey's "Bolton Abbey in the Olden Time." I’m struck by the contrast between the hunters with their game and the clergymen inside the abbey. How would you interpret this scene? Curator: It's a commentary on power dynamics, isn't it? Notice how the spoils of the hunt are brought into the religious space, almost as a tribute. What does that suggest about the Church's influence or dependence on secular activities at the time? Editor: So it's not just a snapshot of daily life, but a statement about the relationship between different social spheres? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the artist positions each figure and the laden table. It prompts us to question the role of religious institutions within the broader societal structure.