Taking Up a Fare – "All the World's A Stage" 1837

"Taking Up a Fare – "All the World's A Stage," made by John Doyle, presents us with a snapshot of 19th-century British society, rendered in delicate lines on paper. Doyle, working in a time of immense social and political change, uses his art to reflect and critique the world around him. In this piece, class distinctions take center stage, quite literally, as the artist draws on Shakespeare for the title, suggesting the performative nature of social interactions. The figures, caught in the act of boarding a carriage, reveal much about the era’s rigid hierarchies. The weight of society seems to bear down, as the horse carrying the coach is labelled ‘Peel’, a reference to then Prime Minister Robert Peel. Doyle offers a visual commentary that is both insightful and biting. The light touch of the drawing belies the depth of its social critique, inviting us to consider the roles we play and the stages on which we perform them. It’s a reminder that art can be a mirror, reflecting not just what we see, but also the complex systems that shape our perceptions."