The last pawning. 18th century. Colored engraving

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

The last pawning. 18th century. Colored engraving

The last pawning. 18th century. Colored engraving. The Artistic Illustration, 1886

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 14325215

© Thaliastock / Mary Evans

Accountant Accounting Bank Banker Banking Bookcase Coin Commercial Counting Cupboard Currency Economic Economist Economy Foot Footstool Ledger Lender Loan Money Moneylender Notebook Office Pawn Pawnbroker Poor Poorness Quill Rest Sadness Shelf Speak Speaking Stool Study Talk Bookkeeper Footrest Pawning Pawnshop

EDITORS COMMENTS
is an evocative 18th century colored engraving that captures the somber reality of poverty and debt during this era. The image depicts a scene in a dimly lit, cramped room, where an old woman sits in despair, her feet resting on a footstool or footrest. She wears a shabby hat and her worn, threadbare clothing speaks volumes about her impoverished state. In her hands, she holds a hat filled with coins and currency, which she is offering to a stern-faced pawnbroker. He sits behind a cluttered desk, surrounded by a bookcase filled with ledgers and notebooks. A quill pen and inkwell are also visible on the table, suggesting the business transactions that have taken place there. The pawnbroker, dressed in the finery of the day, examines the woman's offerings with a critical eye, his expression betraying no emotion. A cupboard and shelf filled with various items, possibly pawned goods, are visible in the background. The woman's sadness and the pawnbroker's detached demeanor create a stark contrast, highlighting the economic divide between the haves and the have-nots. This poignant image, published in "The Artistic Illustration" in 1886, offers a glimpse into the economic realities of the 18th century. The use of color adds depth and emotion to the scene, making it a powerful reminder of the human cost of debt and poverty. The engraving also serves as a testament to the enduring role of pawnbrokers in providing short-term loans to those in need, a practice that continues to this day. Overall, "The Last Pawning" is a thought-provoking and evocative work of art that resonates with viewers even in the modern age.

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