Economy, Society and Politics in 19th Century London
ECONOMY, SOCIETY AND POLITICS IN 19TH CENTURY LONDON
Using visual evidence such as artworks, prints and photographs, explore how contemporaries interpreted changes in nineteenth-century London in ONE of the following themes:
(i) Streets
(ii) Poverty
(iii) The Thames
(iv) The home
The theme of “Streets” in nineteenth century London encompasses many aspects of Victorian societal development. Indeed, studying the large-scale improvement scheme of London’s streets in the nineteenth century brings to light the radical change in sanitation levels, the presence of poverty and social disparity which was still rife and the advent of leisure and a growing middle class, visible in new public spaces which continue on from the street, such as parks and gardens. These ideas will form around the analysis of three pieces of visual art dating from nineteenth century London.
Let us first look at Figure 1 of the crossing sweeper and the lady. In this painting by William Powell Frith is depicted a typical street scene of Victorian London. Indeed, crossing sweepers were very present, as expressed by Henry Mayhew in his extensive study of London, London Labour and the London Poor: “We can scarcely walk along a street of any extent, or pass through a square of the least pretensions to "gentility", without meeting one or more of these private scavengers.” (Mayhew, 1861). These ‘scavengers’ constituted a large part of London’s poor; in the painting the young boy offering his services is barefooted, his trousers and vest ripped and his overall appearance one of ruggedness and misery. This is perfectly contrasted by the lady, who on the contrary is in luxurious attire; a velvet overall covering her and her leather boots shining. Behind her stand white and grandiose buildings with stucco facades which place the painting somewhere in West London. As explained by Bills (2004) the presence of a Notting Hill omnibus and the painter’s familiarity with Lancaster Gate suggests the
Using visual evidence such as artworks, prints and photographs, explore how contemporaries interpreted changes in nineteenth-century London in ONE of the following themes:
(i) Streets
(ii) Poverty
(iii) The Thames
(iv) The home
The theme of “Streets” in nineteenth century London encompasses many aspects of Victorian societal development. Indeed, studying the large-scale improvement scheme of London’s streets in the nineteenth century brings to light the radical change in sanitation levels, the presence of poverty and social disparity which was still rife and the advent of leisure and a growing middle class, visible in new public spaces which continue on from the street, such as parks and gardens. These ideas will form around the analysis of three pieces of visual art dating from nineteenth century London.
Let us first look at Figure 1 of the crossing sweeper and the lady. In this painting by William Powell Frith is depicted a typical street scene of Victorian London. Indeed, crossing sweepers were very present, as expressed by Henry Mayhew in his extensive study of London, London Labour and the London Poor: “We can scarcely walk along a street of any extent, or pass through a square of the least pretensions to "gentility", without meeting one or more of these private scavengers.” (Mayhew, 1861). These ‘scavengers’ constituted a large part of London’s poor; in the painting the young boy offering his services is barefooted, his trousers and vest ripped and his overall appearance one of ruggedness and misery. This is perfectly contrasted by the lady, who on the contrary is in luxurious attire; a velvet overall covering her and her leather boots shining. Behind her stand white and grandiose buildings with stucco facades which place the painting somewhere in West London. As explained by Bills (2004) the presence of a Notting Hill omnibus and the painter’s familiarity with Lancaster Gate suggests the