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

"The Friend in Need" is a wood engraving created by Rebecca Solomon in 1859. The artwork depicts a scene of social inequality, with a wealthy man in formal attire offering aid to a family in need. The woman in the center of the composition holds a young child, while another woman sits beside her, cradling a baby. The image was originally published in the "Illustrated London News," highlighting the social issues of the time through the lens of visual art. Solomon, a prominent female artist of the Victorian era, used her work to address themes of poverty and social responsibility. The artwork, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into Victorian society and the artist's engagement with social commentary.