Durham 18th-19th century

Curator: This is "Durham" by Francis Chesham, from the late 18th century. What springs to mind for you? Editor: It's so calm. It feels like a stage set, very theatrical. Is that a cathedral perched above the bridge? Curator: Yes, Durham Cathedral. The bridge itself becomes a symbol connecting the everyday world with the sacred space above. Editor: The figures fishing add a human touch. Are they meant to be read symbolically as well? Curator: Perhaps! In that era, images of people in harmony with nature spoke to a particular philosophy, even a political worldview. Editor: It’s a beautiful echo, the arches reflected in the water. Curator: Indeed, Chesham created an enduring and thoughtful image. Editor: It's a reminder of the layers of meaning that can be found in the simplest of scenes. Curator: Absolutely. It invites us to look closer, doesn’t it?