IN THE UNDERGROUND 

John Leech made this pen and ink drawing, “In the Underground,” during a time of rapid industrial and urban development. It captures a moment in the lives of two middle-class women within London's burgeoning public transportation system. Leech's work offers insight into the gendered experience of public space. The women, adorned in elaborate dresses and hats, carry themselves with a composed demeanor that reflects the social expectations placed upon them. While the underground provided new mobility, it also subjected women to increased scrutiny and potential harassment. The drawing subtly hints at the class dynamics at play, with the women's attire signaling their privileged status amidst the diverse cross-section of society that would have been using this new form of transport. Through his illustration, Leech invites us to consider the complexities of identity and social interaction within the changing urban landscape. It is a document of how technological advancements are intertwined with cultural norms and personal experiences.