Flying Dustmen 1881

John Thomson made this photograph, "Flying Dustmen," using a camera and darkroom techniques in the late 19th century. The print is made from chemical reactions of light on paper, a fairly new technology at the time. The image portrays two working-class men and their horse-drawn cart, likely engaged in the task of collecting and transporting waste. The photograph's material qualities, with its sepia tones and soft focus, lend a sense of grit to the scene. Thomson captured the dustmen amidst their labor, their worn clothing and tools hinting at the physical demands of their work. Thomson's choice to document these men elevates their status. In doing so, he blurs the lines between documentary and fine art photography. This image invites us to consider the social and economic realities of Victorian London and appreciate the dignity of labor often overlooked in traditional art historical narratives.