THIRD CLASS. TO SEAT SIX 

John Leech created "Third Class. To Seat Six" using ink to capture a scene of urban life. The composition is tightly packed, dominated by a row of figures crammed into a small space. Leech uses stark contrasts and dense hatching to create a sense of claustrophobia and discomfort. The figures, each rendered with exaggerated features, seem trapped, their bodies pressed against each other. This visual compression speaks to the broader socio-economic structures of Victorian society, where class divisions determined access to space and comfort. The linear quality of the drawing emphasizes the rigidity of social norms, with each line and shadow contributing to a narrative of confinement. Note how the artist's technique serves not only to depict but also to critique the conditions of the working class.