On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

The "Wall Worker"

Photograph
1877-78 (made)
Artist/Maker
John Thomson (photographer)
Place of origin
London (made)

Photograph of three men. One man is standing by a doorway, with pipe in mouth and tankard in hand. The other two are seated on an outside bench, one with a tankard and pipe, the other with a stick.

Object details

Categories
Scotland
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Photograph
TitleThe "Wall Worker" (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Woodburytype
Brief description
19thC; Thomson John, The "Wall Worker", Street Life in London
Physical description
Photograph of three men. One man is standing by a doorway, with pipe in mouth and tankard in hand. The other two are seated on an outside bench, one with a tankard and pipe, the other with a stick.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 115mm
  • Image width: 76mm
  • Sheet height: 179mm
  • Sheet width: 129mm
Marks and inscriptions
The "Wall Worker"
Gallery label
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM 'STREET LIFE IN LONDON'
These photographs were first published in 12 instalments in 1877-1878 in a series entitled 'Street Life in London'. John Thomson had earlier photographed in China and recognized London as a remarkable new subject. Together with journalist Adolphe Smith he wrote commentaries on each image. 'Street Life' is among the earliest and most evocative examples of social documentary photography.
Credit line
Given by Mrs D Crisp
Place depicted
London
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
PH.332-1982

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1058585/the-wall-worker-photograph-john-thomson/
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