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The Waste of it! by John Hassall
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The Waste of it! by John Hassall
Maid feeling exhausted after running up and down with jugs of water instead of using the tap! Date: 1906
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14253628
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bath Feeling Housemaid Maid Maids Running Servant Servants Worker
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The Waste of It!
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a humorous cartoon by renowned British illustrator, John Hassall, created in 1906. The image captures a weary maid, her face etched with exhaustion, as she labors up and down the stairs of a grand estate, each time carrying a full jug of water to fill a bath. In the foreground, a modern tap is conspicuously visible, its handle gleaming in the sunlight. The irony of the situation is palpable – the maid's back-breaking labor could have been avoided had the household simply invested in a more efficient water delivery system. Hassall's masterful use of line and form brings the maid's plight to life, her posture and expression conveying a sense of resignation and frustration. The viewer is left to ponder the futility of the maid's task, and the larger societal issues that perpetuate such unnecessary toil. The cartoon is a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by domestic workers during this era, and the often-unquestioned power dynamics that governed their lives. "The Waste of It!" is a testament to Hassall's ability to infuse humor into the everyday, and to shed light on the human condition through his art. The image remains a powerful commentary on the intersection of labor, class, and technology, and continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. This print, with its rich historical context and timeless themes, is an invaluable addition to any collection of social commentary or early 20th-century art.
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