A Figure on Horseback, Perhaps a Study for a Canterbury Pilgrim 

Curator: Before us, we have Henry Stacy Marks' "A Figure on Horseback, Perhaps a Study for a Canterbury Pilgrim," housed here at the Tate. It's a drawing. Editor: The blue paper certainly imparts a pensive mood. The figure seems caught in a moment of reflection. Curator: Indeed. Marks, born in 1829, was deeply interested in historical subjects, particularly medieval life. This drawing likely served as preparatory work. Look at the drapery, the fall of the fabric—it reveals a focus on the material culture of the period. Editor: The composition is so striking, too. The pilgrim's gaze directs us to that delicate flower he holds, which creates a poignant contrast between journey and tenderness. Curator: And, of course, the economic realities of pilgrimage are important, the costs associated with travel and the religious labour involved. Editor: Absolutely. It's a testament to Marks' skill in rendering both form and evoking feeling. Curator: A glimpse into the past, viewed through a focus on labour and consumption. Editor: Yes, a truly captivating work—a study of a journey that speaks volumes.