Cobham Church c. 19th century

Curator: This is James Duffield Harding’s depiction of Cobham Church. Look at the architectural details rendered with such delicate precision. What strikes you first? Editor: The somber atmosphere. The high windows let in light, but the scene feels heavy with history, a history dominated by men. Curator: Absolutely. The church itself is a vessel of cultural memory. Harding captures its physical grandeur—the tombs, the arches—but also the social dynamic, the gendered space. Editor: These monuments were almost exclusively built to honor men, reinforcing patriarchal structures. Curator: Indeed, they become symbols of power. It’s a space of hierarchy, visibly reinforced. Editor: Harding's work, while seemingly a mere depiction, opens up questions about space, power, and narrative. Curator: I agree, it makes you think about these lasting spaces. Editor: Absolutely, it's a striking reminder of who is memorialized and who is not.