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Cartoon, Mr Briggss Pleasures of Housekeeping
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Cartoon, Mr Briggss Pleasures of Housekeeping
Cartoon, Mr Briggss Pleasures of Housekeeping -- Irish labourers employed to build a house. Date: circa 1850
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Media ID 20143489
© Bubblepunk
1850s Briggs Build Builder Builders Employed Housekeeping Labourers Ladder Manual Operations Pleasures Punch Satire Satirical Scaffolding Worker
EDITORS COMMENTS
Mr. Briggs' Pleasures of Housekeeping: A Humorous Take on Victorian House Building, circa 1850 This cartoon, titled "Mr. Briggs' Pleasures of Housekeeping," offers a satirical glimpse into the world of Victorian house building through the eyes of Irish laborers. The image, created around 1850, depicts a group of hardworking men constructing a house using traditional scaffolding and various building tools. The scene is filled with a sense of camaraderie and determination, as the men work in unison to complete their task. At the center of the image, a man identified as Mr. Briggs stands proudly, overseeing the operation with a smug expression on his face. He appears to be enjoying the process of house building, perhaps even finding pleasure in the chaos and noise that comes with it. However, the title of the cartoon suggests that there may be more to this scene than meets the eye. The term "housekeeping" in the title is a double entendre, referring both to the act of managing a household and to the physical process of building a house. Mr. Briggs, the homeowner, is depicted as taking pleasure in both aspects, while the laborers toil away to bring his vision to life. The use of Irish laborers in the cartoon adds an interesting layer to the image. At the time, Irish immigrants were a common sight in the construction industry in Britain, and their labor was often exploited. The cartoon does not explicitly comment on this issue, but the depiction of the men working tirelessly while Mr. Briggs enjoys the fruits of their labor may be a subtle commentary on the power dynamics at play. Overall, "Mr. Briggs' Pleasures of Housekeeping" is a fascinating snapshot of Victorian house building, offering a humorous and thought-provoking perspective on the construction process and the roles of those involved.
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