Martello Towers near Bexhill, Sussex c. 19th century

Curator: This sepia print, "Martello Towers near Bexhill, Sussex," comes to us from the hand of William Say. It offers a glimpse into a coastal scene. The towers are faintly visible in the distance. Editor: There’s a quiet melancholy about this work. The broken boats and the small figures seem dwarfed by the landscape. It feels like a comment on the impermanence of human endeavor. Curator: Martello towers themselves were symbols of defense, built in response to Napoleonic threats. They represent a specific moment in British history and anxieties around invasion. Editor: And yet, even these imposing structures fade into the backdrop here. What does it say about prioritizing defense when nature reclaims everything? Curator: Perhaps Say is using these towers as a reminder of a shared, collective memory, not just of military history but of a landscape shaped by human activity and natural forces. Editor: It does feel like a visual elegy, a gentle reminder that even the most fortified positions are ultimately transient.