Waltham Cross 1720

Curator: John Harris created this depiction of "Waltham Cross" in 1729. What strikes you immediately about this image? Editor: There's a solemn, almost reverential quality to the rendering of this monument. The artist clearly wants us to see the cross as a powerful symbol. Curator: Absolutely, and to understand that symbolism, it's critical to consider the context. These crosses, erected by King Edward I, marked the stops of Queen Eleanor's funeral procession. Editor: So, the cross embodies not just religious faith, but also political power and the king’s grief. The shields and banners add to that, speaking to lineage and historical narrative. Curator: Exactly. They're visual anchors to both personal loss and the evolving identity of the English monarchy. Editor: Knowing that, I see more than just stone and structure. I see layers of meaning, carefully constructed, and still echoing through time. Curator: A powerful interplay of love, loss, and legacy etched in lines and stone.