Robinson Crusoe
Wallpaper
1875-1900 (made)
1875-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Most middle-class homes in the later 19th century had separate accommodation for the children of the family. They lived there with their carers, the nursemaid, nanny and governess. All kinds of furnishings were designed specifically for children, including nursery wallpapers. People thought that these should show suitable designs. Some designs were educational, for example nursery rhymes and alphabets. Others were based on morally improving subjects. These were inspired by books such as John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) and Daniel Defoe’s The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719). Both books were republished in the 19th century in editions intended for children.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Robinson Crusoe (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Machine print from engraved rollers, on paper |
| Brief description | Speciment of nursery wallpaper illustrating episodes from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, machine print, English, 1870-1900. |
| Physical description | Portion of nursery wallpaper illustrating episodes from Robinson Crusoe, printed in black and brown on a pale ground on paper. There are four scenes represented. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Each illustrated scene is bordered with branches. Some of the illustrations are repeated and depict a man with a gun standing on a desert island, another is kneeling before him; a man sailing on a raft; two men firing guns at a group of men; a man seated in an interior at a table with a cat. |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Each scene lettered with caption) |
| Credit line | Given by Mr Wyndham Payne |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | 'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe |
| Summary | Most middle-class homes in the later 19th century had separate accommodation for the children of the family. They lived there with their carers, the nursemaid, nanny and governess. All kinds of furnishings were designed specifically for children, including nursery wallpapers. People thought that these should show suitable designs. Some designs were educational, for example nursery rhymes and alphabets. Others were based on morally improving subjects. These were inspired by books such as John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) and Daniel Defoe’s The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719). Both books were republished in the 19th century in editions intended for children. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.714-1952 |
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| Record created | February 18, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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