Trafalgar Tavern 1878

James Tissot made this drawing of the Trafalgar Tavern with graphite on paper. The image presents us with a view from inside the tavern, looking out over the River Thames in Greenwich, London. Tissot was a French artist working in England during the late 19th century. His work often depicted scenes of modern life, particularly the leisure activities of the middle and upper classes. The Trafalgar Tavern was a popular dining spot, known for its seafood and views. Here Tissot captures the social and economic structures of Victorian England, where the experience of dining with a view was accessible only to some. As historians, we can delve into this image by researching the history of the Trafalgar Tavern. We could look at menus, visitor records, and other archival material, to learn more about the people who frequented the tavern, and the ways in which class and social status shaped their experience of the city. Studying art in this way shows it is contingent on social and institutional context.