Death of Thomas Becket 

Curator: This is Richard Corbould's "Death of Thomas Becket," held within the Tate Collections. The dimensions of the support are 142 by 73 millimeters. Editor: It looks like a quick sketch, the lines have a nervous energy. The architectural backdrop and the figures are sketched with a similar weight of line, creating a sense of flatness despite the dramatic subject. Curator: Precisely. Notice the positioning of the figures within the architectural space. The converging lines draw our eye to Becket, the focal point of this dramatic scene. Editor: I'm more drawn to the weaponry. What kind of wood was used for that club? The labor and physical force involved in such violence is striking, a harsh contrast to the setting of the altar. Curator: Indeed, the semiotics of the setting amplify the horror. The altar, usually a site of holiness, is desecrated by this act of violence. Editor: It’s interesting how Corbould renders such a brutal act with such delicate lines. It makes you think about the layers of production that led to the making of this piece. Curator: The composition certainly heightens the tension. A compelling study of historical and spatial relationships. Editor: Agreed. It’s a small image, but it opens up grand questions about power, production, and representation.