The Water-Cart 1881

This photograph, "The Water-Cart," was created by John Thomson. The artwork is made of paper using photographic processes, a relatively new technology at the time. Thomson's image draws our attention to the everyday life of working-class Londoners. The water-cart driver, captured in this image, was one of the many individuals who toiled to keep the city functioning. Water-carts like the one shown were used to spray water on the streets, suppressing dust and keeping the city clean. It was arduous labor, requiring skill in handling both the horse and the mechanics of the cart. This photograph serves as a reminder of the labor and materials that underpin our daily existence. It encourages us to consider the social and economic systems that shape our world, and the vital role that craft and industry play in sustaining urban life.