Organ Grinder with a Little Monkey 1855 - 1886
horatioross
pencil drawn
photo of handprinted image
light pencil work
photo restoration
ink paper printed
pencil sketch
light coloured
white palette
light colour tone
pencil work
Horatio Ross was a renowned photographer during the 19th century, capturing candid moments of everyday life. “Organ Grinder with a Little Monkey” from 1855-1886 is a poignant example of this, showing a street performer with a small monkey perched on his shoulder. The photograph is an early example of the genre of street photography, capturing the social and economic realities of Victorian Britain. The image's composition emphasizes the figure's position within their surroundings and the artist's use of natural lighting.
Comments
Organ grinders with monkeys were a familiar sight on the street in the 19th century. Often from Italy, poorly dressed, and barely able to make a living, they constituted an ‘interesting’ motif, just like beggars, drifters and street urchins. The wretched existence of such picturesque ‘types’ was a popular subject among both photographers and artists.
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