Home > Arts > Artists > D > Thomas Day
May day Gaiety (engraving)
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Fine Art Finder
May day Gaiety (engraving)
664720 May day Gaiety (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: May day Gaiety. These men hire old dresses, and join the cinder sifters or Bunters Garland, or Jack in the Green, &c, and exhibit all sorts of grimace and ribaldry, to extort money from their numerous admirers. Illustration from Lives of Famous London Beggars by John Thomas Smith (Diprose and Bateman, c 1890).); © Look and Learn
Media ID 22963154
© Look and Learn / Bridgeman Images
Beggars Begging Cheerfulness Clown Gaiety Mendicants Strolling
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> D
> Thomas Day
> Arts
> Artists
> S
> John Thomas Smith
> Fine Art Finder
> Artists
> English School
> Fine Art Finder
> Temp Classification
> Popular Themes
> Money
May Day Merriment - A Glimpse into London's Beggars' Parade
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This engraving, titled "May day Gaiety" offers a fascinating window into the vibrant street culture of 19th century London. The image captures a group of mendicants, impoverished individuals who relied on begging to survive, engaging in cheerful revelry during the annual May Day festivities. Dressed in tattered costumes and joining various processions such as the Cinder Sifters or Bunters Garland, these beggars transformed themselves into characters like Jack in the Green. With mischievous grins and ribald gestures, they entertained passersby while cleverly coaxing donations from their numerous admirers. The illustration is taken from John Thomas Smith's renowned book "Lives of Famous London Beggars" published around 1890. It showcases an intriguing aspect of society that often went unnoticed – how poverty could be momentarily transcended through humor and performance. In this snapshot frozen in time, we witness the resilience and resourcefulness of those living on the fringes. Despite their destitution, these beggars found solace in camaraderie and shared laughter amidst challenging circumstances. As we gaze upon this print from Bridgeman Images' private collection, let us reflect on how even within hardship, joy can emerge. May it serve as a reminder that compassion knows no boundaries – whether rich or poor – for gaiety has its own universal language capable of uniting hearts across
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
