The "Crawlers" 1877

John Thomson made this photograph, "The Crawlers," using photographic methods that were both scientific and artistic. This print on paper is from a series called "Street Life in London" that reveals stark realities of Victorian-era poverty. Thomson's lens captures the heavy textures of brick and worn clothing, underscoring the physical hardships endured by the woman he depicts. The processes involved in early photography were labor-intensive, demanding a blend of chemical expertise and an artist's eye for composition. The resulting sepia tones and the palpable sense of stillness evoke the somber mood of the scene, highlighting the sitter’s resignation and the rough conditions surrounding her. In using photography to document the lives of the working class, Thomson challenges traditional art's focus on elevated subjects, instead emphasizing the raw, unvarnished truth of everyday life. The photograph serves not just as a visual record, but as a commentary on the social and economic structures that perpetuate such hardship.