The Old Bedford (recto); The Gallery of the Old Bedford (verso) c. 1894

Walter Richard Sickert's etching, "The Old Bedford (recto); The Gallery of the Old Bedford (verso)", depicts a crowded scene inside a music hall, likely the Old Bedford Music Hall in London, where Sickert often frequented. The etching, created circa 1894, captures the dimly lit interior with its intricate details. The composition focuses on the figures seated in the gallery, their faces obscured by shadows and partially visible in the smoky haze, while the stage and its performers remain unobserved. This work showcases Sickert's fascination with the social dynamics and atmosphere of London's nightlife, employing a masterful use of light and shadow to convey the ambiance of the music hall.