The Friend in Need, from "Illustrated London News" 1859

"The Friend in Need" was created by Rebecca Solomon and published in the Illustrated London News. Solomon, an artist of Jewish heritage, lived at a time when women and minorities faced significant barriers in the art world, something she experienced firsthand. In this image, she confronts Victorian society's attitudes towards poverty and charity. The composition depicts a well-to-do family being approached by a woman in need. How does one interpret this moment of potential generosity? What unspoken power dynamics are in play? Solomon urges us to reflect on the complexities of social responsibility, and how class and gender intersect in these interactions. Her work encourages us to see the emotional landscape of Victorian England.