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Working Class Collection (#3)

The working class, an integral part of society's backbone, has long been depicted in various forms of art and propaganda

Background imageWorking Class Collection: 'On Thoughts of Charity Intent', by Miss E. Brownlow - from the Female Artists Exhibition, 1864

"On Thoughts of Charity Intent", by Miss E. Brownlow - from the Female Artists Exhibition, 1864. A...charming little picture

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Fancy. Watercolor Ink Painting

Fancy. Watercolor Ink Painting
Johan Liewendahl

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Everday life in a farmers living room, (painting)

Everday life in a farmers living room, (painting)
8719874 Everday life in a farmers living room, (painting) by Hansteen, Aasta (1824-1908); 56x72 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: The national company for boat building by machine at Deptford, 1860 (photo)

The national company for boat building by machine at Deptford, 1860 (photo)
7340365 The national company for boat building by machine at Deptford, 1860 (photo) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); National Maritime Museum, London

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Illustration depicting a statute fair, where servants could be hired by wealthy families

Illustration depicting a statute fair, where servants could be hired by wealthy families, 1790 (engraving)
5616468 Illustration depicting a statute fair, where servants could be hired by wealthy families, 1790 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: The cook and the parlour maid, 1875 (engraving)

The cook and the parlour maid, 1875 (engraving)
5616388 The cook and the parlour maid, 1875 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A young man applying for a job

A young man applying for a job
5616097 A young man applying for a job; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a young man applying, unsuccessfully, for a job. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1890); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A maid, c.1860 (print)

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293403 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid cleaning. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A maid, c.1860 (print)

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293397 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid sewing. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Peasants, 1928 (oil on canvas)

Peasants, 1928 (oil on canvas)
LAF470863 Peasants, 1928 (oil on canvas) by Brusselmans, Jean (1884-1953); 150.2x149.8 cm; Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent, Belgium; © Art in Flanders

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Tsar Nicholas II receiving a delegation of workers after riots in St Petersburg, 1905 (litho)

Tsar Nicholas II receiving a delegation of workers after riots in St Petersburg, 1905 (litho)
8655541 Tsar Nicholas II receiving a delegation of workers after riots in St Petersburg, 1905 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Couples from different classes (colour litho)

Couples from different classes (colour litho)
8635671 Couples from different classes (colour litho) by Browne, Tom (1872-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: Couples from different classes. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageWorking Class Collection: The Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1834 (litho)

The Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1834 (litho)
8656115 The Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1834 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Tolpuddle Martyrs, Dorset, 1834)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Russian delegation to the Anglo-Russian Conference, 1925 (b/w photo)

Russian delegation to the Anglo-Russian Conference, 1925 (b/w photo)
8673335 Russian delegation to the Anglo-Russian Conference, 1925 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo)

Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo)
8673331 Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arthur Pugh (1870-1955), British trade unionist

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Ben Tillett, British trade unionist (b/w photo)

Ben Tillett, British trade unionist (b/w photo)
8673326 Ben Tillett, British trade unionist (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ben Tillett (1860-1943), British trade unionist and politician

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Wasted Effort (colour litho)

Wasted Effort (colour litho)
8673243 Wasted Effort (colour litho) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wasted Effort)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Socialism crushing business (colour litho)

Socialism crushing business (colour litho)
8673234 Socialism crushing business (colour litho) by Austrian School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Socialism crushing business)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Dole queue, 1923 (b/w photo)

Dole queue, 1923 (b/w photo)
8626471 Dole queue, 1923 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dole queue: unemployed men waiting outside an Employment Exchange to collect their)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Interior of St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London (engraving)

Interior of St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London (engraving)
8676587 Interior of St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interior of St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo)

Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo)
8673333 Arthur Pugh, British trade unionist (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arthur Pugh (1870-1955), British trade unionist, General Secretary

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Street in Whitechapel, London (b/w photo)

Street in Whitechapel, London (b/w photo)
8676205 Street in Whitechapel, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Street in Whitechapel, London)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Sciences. Glassmaking. Workshop for polishing the lead crystal, women's labour

Sciences. Glassmaking. Workshop for polishing the lead crystal, women's labour
3434705 Sciences. Glassmaking. Workshop for polishing the lead crystal, women's labour. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent: bottle making and childs labour

Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent: bottle making and childs labour
3434701 Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent: bottle making and childs labour. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Science. Paper Making. Wallpaper manually printing. Engraving in

Science. Paper Making. Wallpaper manually printing. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie
3434758 Science. Paper Making. Wallpaper manually printing. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France, c.1880 (engraving); (add.info.: Sciences. Coll. Part. Science)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Science. Paper Making. Rags washing machine (cotton paper making). Engraving in

Science. Paper Making. Rags washing machine (cotton paper making). Engraving in
3434751 Science. Paper Making. Rags washing machine (cotton paper making). Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France, c.1880 (engraving); (add.info.: Sciences. Coll)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Costumes of common English people, Directory era. Handcoloured lithograph from Le Bibliophile

Costumes of common English people, Directory era. Handcoloured lithograph from Le Bibliophile Jacob aka Paul
FLO4572649 Costumes of common English people, Directory era. Handcoloured lithograph from Le Bibliophile Jacob aka Paul Lacroix's Costumes Historique de la France (Historical Costumes of France)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A London street scene with revellers returning home as the labouring classes start on their day's

A London street scene with revellers returning home as the labouring classes start on their day's work, 1850
3480189 A London street scene with revellers returning home as the labouring classes start on their day's work, 1850; (add.info)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Pitmen and boys, 1850

Pitmen and boys, 1850
3478430 Pitmen and boys, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting pitmen and boys preparing to go down for the night shift in Durham. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A typical street scene in the Northampton shoe making district, 1850

A typical street scene in the Northampton shoe making district, 1850
3478093 A typical street scene in the Northampton shoe making district, 1850; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting a typical street scene in the Northampton shoe making district)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: An angelic figure donating bread to the less fortunate, 1850

An angelic figure donating bread to the less fortunate, 1850
3478242 An angelic figure donating bread to the less fortunate, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an angelic figure donating bread to the less fortunate)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Communist propaganda poster, 1921 (poster)

Communist propaganda poster, 1921 (poster)
2912247 Communist propaganda poster, 1921 (poster); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Steel factory in the USSR, 1930 (poster)

Steel factory in the USSR, 1930 (poster)
2069888 Steel factory in the USSR, 1930 (poster); (add.info.: Coll. Part. History. USSR (Russia): Steel factory in USSR. Poster, USSR, 1930.); Photo © CCI

Background imageWorking Class Collection: 1905's Revolution. Arrestation of Strike Leaders, Saint Petersburg

1905's Revolution. Arrestation of Strike Leaders, Saint Petersburg
2014322 1905's Revolution. Arrestation of Strike Leaders, Saint Petersburg; (add.info.: Revolution de 1905. Illustration in: Le Petit Journal, France, 1905. Coll. Part. History. Russia)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: poster depicting a French female farm labourer carrying a wheat sheaf, 1900 (poster)

poster depicting a French female farm labourer carrying a wheat sheaf, 1900 (poster)
3665926 poster depicting a French female farm labourer carrying a wheat sheaf, 1900 (poster); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: An exhausted young shop worker

An exhausted young shop worker
5616471 An exhausted young shop worker; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an exhausted young shop girl who has collapsed after an extremely long week at work. Dated 19th Century)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: The interior of an Employment Bureau

The interior of an Employment Bureau
5616096 The interior of an Employment Bureau; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting the interior of an Employment Bureau for domestic servants. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1876); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Women making working men's dinners in a large cauldron, whilst a fat wealthy man looking

Women making working men's dinners in a large cauldron, whilst a fat wealthy man looking on. 1863 (engraving)
5615909 Women making working men's dinners in a large cauldron, whilst a fat wealthy man looking on. 1863 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Illustration depicting home-workers working at home for pittance, 1843 (engraving)

Illustration depicting home-workers working at home for pittance, 1843 (engraving)
5616353 Illustration depicting home-workers working at home for pittance, 1843 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Cotton field, c.1920-30 (print)

Cotton field, c.1920-30 (print)
7293240 Cotton field, c.1920-30 (print); (add.info.: Agriculture. Cotton harvest in the south of the USA. Postcard, USA, ca 1920-30.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A maid, c.1860 (print)

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293401 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid serving breakfast. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A maid, c.1860 (print)

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293400 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid shop for her employer, at the market. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent. Engraving in

Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie
3434703 Science. Glassmaking. Glassworks in the XIXth cent. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France, c.1880 (engraving); (add.info.: Sciences. Coll. Part. Science)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Science. Glassmaking: glassworks in the 2nd half of the XIXth cent. Engraving in

Science. Glassmaking: glassworks in the 2nd half of the XIXth cent. Engraving in
3434698 Science. Glassmaking: glassworks in the 2nd half of the XIXth cent. Engraving in: Grands hommes et grands faits de l'industrie, France, c.1880 (engraving); (add.info.: Sciences. Coll)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Monday Morning, 1850

Monday Morning, 1850
3478122 Monday Morning, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration titled Monday Morning depicting father going to work with food and other goods tied in a scarf, while three older children leave for school)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: A wealthy man tipping, 1850

A wealthy man tipping, 1850
3478441 A wealthy man tipping, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of a wealthy man tipping the attendant. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Interviewing an Inferior, 1850

Interviewing an Inferior, 1850
3478425 Interviewing an Inferior, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration titled Interviewing an Inferior depicts a dishevelled man being interviewed by his superior with is sat by his desk)

Background imageWorking Class Collection: Young children playing together in the street, 1850

Young children playing together in the street, 1850
3478018 Young children playing together in the street, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting young children playing together in the street. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG



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The working class, an integral part of society's backbone, has long been depicted in various forms of art and propaganda. In the early 20th century, a capitalist pyramid stood tall, symbolizing the social hierarchy that oppressed the laborers. American Socialist posters from 1911 aimed to challenge this system and advocate for equality. As time progressed, the working class found representation in different ideologies. The Young Communist League emerged as a shock battalion during the Soviet Union's Five-Year Plan in 1931. Vladimir Lyushin's poster captured their determination and commitment towards building a new future. In late 1930s America, Ben Shahn painted an oil on canvas masterpiece titled "Organize?" It showcased over one million workers standing united behind the cause of organizing for better rights and conditions. Across borders, even organizations like Salvation Army used propaganda to address social issues such as poverty. A London-based chromolitho poster from around 1910 highlighted their efforts to uplift those affected by economic hardships. Historical landmarks also bear witness to the struggles faced by the working class. The Old George pub at Bethnal Green in London served as a gathering place where locals shared stories of hardship and resilience during challenging times. One such instance was witnessed when unemployed coal miners took to the streets of Jarrow, England in 1936 demanding justice amidst widespread unemployment caused by industrial decline. Artistic expressions have immortalized iconic figures representing laborers' strength and unity. Vera Mukhina's sculpture "Worker and Kolkhoz Woman" became an emblematic image celebrating collective effort during Moscow's industrialization era. Moving across continents to Harlem in New York City during World War II, Gordon Parks captured a powerful photograph depicting a young newsboy hustling through adversity while contributing his share towards survival amidst difficult circumstances. Industrial progress brought forth innovations like wringers - wet clothes dryers - which eased some burdens carried by homemakers within working-class households. During the war, women played a crucial role in supporting the troops.