Gezicht op St. Johns College, Oxford 1707

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this 1707 engraving titled "Gezicht op St. Johns College, Oxford," currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It gives us a baroque perspective of the college grounds. Editor: Oh, that feels very… distant, doesn’t it? Like a perfectly organized dollhouse version of academia. Everyone is so small within those grand structures. I imagine tiny, meticulously dressed scholars scurrying about with equally minuscule books. Curator: The print really captures the visual language of power of the Baroque era. I see that perspective used as a strategy for communicating hierarchy and order, both architectural and social. How do you view the relation between this artwork and political dynamics of its period? Editor: Hierarchy for sure! It makes me wonder what it felt like to be *inside* those walls. It seems incredibly ordered from here, maybe oppressively so? I guess it depends which social circle you belonged to... Curator: Exactly, what social systems do we find inscribed within the visual space of this engraving? From my point of view, access to these buildings symbolizes belonging to elitist circles of European society. What do you make of these kinds of exclusive spaces today, when compared to that earlier era? Editor: Honestly, it doesn't feel that different to me. Think of modern elite institutions. The gates might be metaphorical now, but the sense of exclusion, and perhaps a tinge of… fear that the walls inspire… those remain palpable, even in an image centuries old. Though, to be fair, Oxford's buildings *are* gorgeous. Curator: So you also perceive the continuing impact and subtle reinforcement of elitism over centuries within today's society. To summarize, can we see how that this seemingly innocuous cityscape can encourage viewers to investigate historical and ongoing implications of hierarchy in the arts and life. Editor: Definitely, although personally I'm going away picturing teeny scholars in tiny gowns! This image reminded me to keep questioning things... and also to maybe try visiting Oxford myself.