Covent Garden Labourers 1881

"Covent Garden Labourers," a photo by John Thomson, captured in 1881, offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class Londoners. The photograph, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, portrays a group of laborers at the bustling Covent Garden Market. The image captures the hard work and gritty reality of their daily lives, highlighting the social realities of Victorian England. The use of a candid style, reminiscent of street photography, allows viewers to engage with the individual stories of these everyday workers.