Study for Whitehall Chapel, from Microcosm of London c. 1809

Editor: So, this is Augustus Charles Pugin’s "Study for Whitehall Chapel, from Microcosm of London," around 1809. It's a drawing and print made with pencil, graphite, etching, all on paper. It feels so formal, so geometrically rigid... what strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Immediately, I'm thinking about the function of spaces like this, particularly chapels in the early 19th century. What kind of power dynamic is reflected in the architectural design and the way people are arranged within it? Editor: Power dynamic? Can you elaborate? Curator: Look at how the congregation is positioned relative to the elevated pulpit. Pugin is very deliberately depicting a spatial hierarchy. And, of course, this wasn't just about religious power, but also social and political. These spaces reinforced the existing order. Who got to speak, who got to listen, who was included, and who was excluded? Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn't considered how literally architecture embodies social stratification. The meticulous rendering of the columns and ceiling now speaks to this sense of established authority. Do you think that's what Pugin intended to communicate? Curator: He may very well have. His series aimed to document London life and society and class structure at the time, and of course, architecture plays a huge role. We need to ask how did buildings create this public space, and how were those spaces used? Also, don't ignore what's not being shown -- What groups aren't being represented in this scene, and why not? Editor: That gives me so much to think about regarding public access to architecture, class, and how this is used for nation-building...Thanks so much! Curator: Of course. This just proves art isn't just about aesthetics; it's about how social values manifest materially.