Study for ‘Sam Bentley’s Christmas’ c. 1860

Editor: Here we have Charles Keene's Study for ‘Sam Bentley’s Christmas’ from the Tate. It's a small, delicate drawing, but there's a real sense of character in this figure. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Keene was a notable social commentator through his work for *Punch* magazine. This study likely aimed to depict a specific character for a broader narrative. Note how the man's pose and outstretched hand invite a transaction, a social dynamic central to Victorian life. How might its original audience have perceived this imagery? Editor: I hadn't considered the social aspect so directly. The gesture now seems more pointed, less passive. Curator: Exactly. Think about the role of illustration in shaping public perception and how Keene’s work contributed to the visual culture of his time. Editor: I'll definitely look into Keene's illustrations for Punch. Thanks for the context!