A Carriage in London 1848 - 1856

Constantin Guys made this pen and watercolor sketch of "A Carriage in London" sometime in the mid-19th century. Guys was a flâneur, or a man-about-town, who documented modern urban life in drawings for publications like the Illustrated London News. Here, the swift brushstrokes capture a moment of privilege and power. The grand carriage, pulled by strong horses, dwarfs the lone figure of a sentry standing guard. The architecture behind him, most likely a government building, hints at the institutions that uphold this social hierarchy. Are the carriage’s occupants members of the aristocracy, or newly wealthy industrialists? Guys's sketch doesn't tell us, but the overall impression is one of confident authority. Art historians consult sources like newspapers, fashion plates, and social histories to understand the nuances of urban life in Guys's time. By situating this artwork within its original social context, we can better grasp its commentary on the power dynamics of Victorian London.