The Walls and Moat c. 1901

Editor: This is Joseph Pennell’s "The Walls and Moat." It feels both imposing and still, capturing a quiet strength. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The moat and walls are potent symbols of protection, but also of division. Consider what Pennell, consciously or not, might be saying about boundaries, both physical and psychological, in his time. Is it a fortress or a prison? Editor: That’s a great question. The masts of ships behind the walls suggest movement and trade. Curator: Precisely. The ships hint at the outside world, challenging the idea of absolute isolation. The image is a fascinating study of duality. Editor: This makes me think about how we create our own walls, and what we keep in and out. Curator: Indeed. It's a mirror reflecting our own relationship to safety and freedom.