Orleans c. 19th century

Editor: So, here's a print called "Orleans" by Thomas Higham. It feels like a grand civic scene, almost staged. What do you see in this piece, in terms of its historical context? Curator: Well, the cathedral dominates the image, doesn't it? Higham is capturing not just a building, but the power structure it represents and how it looms over the populace. Who is granted access to this history? Editor: I hadn't considered that. So, the print isn't just about aesthetics; it's about access and power? Curator: Precisely. And the medium – a print – makes this image, and therefore this perspective, widely available. It's a fascinating democratization of a very specific, and potent, viewpoint. Editor: That definitely shifts how I see the work! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure, it is fascinating.