Old Furniture thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 37, Box A

Old Furniture

Photograph
1877-1878 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The photographer John Thomson (1837-1921) used the 'Woodburytype' process patented in 1864 for the images in Street Life in London, including this photograph. This was a type of photomechanical reproduction using pigmented gelatin, usually of a rich purple-brown colour. The process was complicated but remained popular until about 1900 because of the high quality and permanence of the finished images.

Subjects Depicted
Much second-hand furniture was originally the entire contents of a poor household, bought together for a given sum. The items were then repaired, repainted or varnished for sale. Second-hand furniture dealers in the 19th century were used to scenes of misery: their stock often came from owners who were desperate for money and had to sell their basic possessions to survive.

Real or Posed?
The people in the pictures were arranged or posed by Thomson to form interesting compositions. However, the results were often naturalistic because the subjects and surroundings were always authentic.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Old Furniture (assigned by artist)
  • Street Life in London (series title)
Materials and techniques
Woodburytype
Brief description
old furniture
Physical description
Photograph
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 500mm
  • Mount width: 350mm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 04/10/2000 by PaperCons
Gallery label
  • British Galleries: 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.(27/03/2003)
  • Gallery 100, ‘History of photography’, 2011-2012, label text : John Thomson (1837-1921) ‘Public Disinfectors’, ‘Street Advertising’, ‘Doctor’, ‘Old Furniture’, from the series Street Life in London 1877-8 After photographing in Asia in the 1860s Thomson identified London as a subject of equal fascination. Street Life in London was published in twelve instalments between 1877 and 1878. The series was produced in collaboration with journalist Adolphe Smith, who wrote commentaries for each image. The project is among the earliest and most evocative examples of social documentary photography. Woodburytypes Given by Mrs D. Crisp Museum nos. Ph.320, 321, 322, 350-1982 (07 03 2014)
Credit line
Given by Mrs D. Crisp
Object history
Taken in London by John Thomson (born in Edinburgh, 1837, died in London, 1921)
Summary
Object Type
The photographer John Thomson (1837-1921) used the 'Woodburytype' process patented in 1864 for the images in Street Life in London, including this photograph. This was a type of photomechanical reproduction using pigmented gelatin, usually of a rich purple-brown colour. The process was complicated but remained popular until about 1900 because of the high quality and permanence of the finished images.

Subjects Depicted
Much second-hand furniture was originally the entire contents of a poor household, bought together for a given sum. The items were then repaired, repainted or varnished for sale. Second-hand furniture dealers in the 19th century were used to scenes of misery: their stock often came from owners who were desperate for money and had to sell their basic possessions to survive.

Real or Posed?
The people in the pictures were arranged or posed by Thomson to form interesting compositions. However, the results were often naturalistic because the subjects and surroundings were always authentic.
Collection
Accession number
PH.350-1982

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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