Busking Collection

England, Liverpool, Penny Lane, immortalized by Paul McCartney

The Clash playing live inside Dukes bar in Glasgow, as part of their Busking Tour. 16th May 1985

One-Man-Band - With all his complicated apparatus and his collecting box stuck on the end of his clarinet, the one-man-band makes a return to Cardiff - 13th March 1948

Street music: a family of singers
A pathetic scene: an impoverished family of street singers, shoeless and ragged, singing in the rain. Date: 1870

Trumpet player, Plaza de la Catedral, Havana, Cuba, West Indies, Central America

stories of the streets
Charlaine Gerber

Street Musicians, 1898-1899, (1956). Creator: Eugene Atget
Street Musicians, 1898-1899, (1956)

Ventre affamé n'a pas d'oreilles, 1840. Creator: Honore Daumier
Ventre affame n'a pas d'oreilles, 1840. A hungry belly has no ears. From Proverbes et Maximes

Former general as a street musician, 1895-1899. Creator: Jan de Waardt
Former general as a street musician, 1895-1899. A veteran who was a general in the Dutch East Indies, and lost his left leg in battle, tries to earn money as a busker by singing to a barrel organ

Street musicians at the Pantheon, 1840. Creator: Olaf Johan Sodermark
Street musicians at the Pantheon, 1840

Ou peut on être mieux... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Ou peut on etre mieux... 19th century. Musicians of Paris. Ou peut-on etre mieux qu'au sein de sa famille? ['Where can one be better than in the bosom of one's family

La harpe, instrument céleste, 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
La harpe, instrument celeste, 19th century. The harp, celestial instrument. (Littre's dictionary)

Fà ballar i Cani (Street Entertainer), published 1753. Creator: Gaetano Gherardo Zompini
Fa ballar i Cani (Street Entertainer), published 1753

The Street Singers, 1862, printed 1920. Creator: Charles Maurand
The Street Singers, 1862, printed 1920

The Street Singers, 1862. Creator: Charles Maurand
The Street Singers, 1862

Picturesque Sketches of London - Street Sights, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Picturesque Sketches of London - Street Sights, 1850. A...balancer...takes a ladder, high enough to reach a second-floor window, and up it goes on his chin

Two Chinese musician street performers in the upper yard, Dom Smith, Vladivostok, Russia, 1899. In: Photograph album of Pray family expatriate life in Vladivostok, Russia

Street musicians with a harp and violin in the upper yard of Dom Smith, Vladivostok, Russia, (1899)
Street musicians with a harp and violin in the upper yard of Dom Smith, Vladivostok, Russia, (1899?). In: Photograph album of Pray family expatriate life in Vladivostok, Russia

Rhode Island, Newport, Buskers bar and restaurant on Thames Street

Busker plays an accordian on Ha penny Bridge, Dublin
A mature man sits on Ha penny Bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland. He plays an accordian. He smiles as he plays while, in the distance, people walk over the cast iron footbridge

Bettelmusikanten, mid-late 19th century, (c1924). Creator: Carl Spitzweg
Bettelmusikanten, mid-late 19th century, (c1924). Buskers. From " Die gute alte Zeit: Zeichnungen von Karl Spitzweg", (The Good Old Days: drawings by Karl Spitzweg)

A man carrying a cello in Plaza Mayor in Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

A musician playing the guitar in Plaza Mayor in Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

UK, Scotland, Lothian, Edinburgh, Old Town, The Royal Mile, High Street, Fringe Festival Juggling Performance

USA, Illinois, Chicago. MUsician performing on Michigan Avenue

Quebec City, Canada. A street busker palying fiddle for tourist crowds in Old Quebec City

London street musician Date: early 1900s

Street musician, London, early 1900s Date: early 1900s

Street musicians with a monkey, Victorian period

Street musicians with bagpipes and monkey

London Street Musicians early 1900s Date: circa 1900s

Street musicians in London Date: circa 1900s

Cow playing violin, busking, cat putting coin in hat by Enid Bond

Penury (litho)
1606931 Penury (litho) by Hurst, Hal (b.1865); Private Collection; (add.info.: Penury. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 10 December 1898)

A Welcome Distraction, (oil on panel)
651325 A Welcome Distraction, (oil on panel) by Weiss, Emile Georges (1861-p.1921); 45.6x34.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Welcome Distraction. Emile Georges Weiss (1861-after 1921)

Street Musicians, c. 1855. Creator: Style of HonoreVictorin Daumier
Street Musicians, c. 1855

Italian Street Musicians, 1877. Creator: John Thomson
Italian Street Musicians, 1877. A work made of woodburytype, from the album " street life in london"

Halian Street Musicians, 1881. Creator: John Thomson
Halian Street Musicians, 1881. A work made of woodburytype, plate 16 in the book " street incidents" (1881)

Plate 3: a group street musicians, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people, 1850

Plate 18: street musicians and other figures outisde a tavern, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people, 1850

Sheet 3 of figures for Chinese shadow puppets, 1859. Creator: Juan Llorens
Sheet 3 of figures for Chinese shadow puppets, 1859

Street Musicians, 1823 (pen and ink and watercolour)
651936 Street Musicians, 1823 (pen and ink and watercolour) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); 15.2x25.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Street Musicians. Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827)

A Scant Audience - Victorian Christmas card (chromolitho)
731713 A Scant Audience - Victorian Christmas card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Scant Audience - Victorian Christmas card)

Buskers on a street in North London
On a street in North London, one man plays the clarinet whilst his disabled partner waits to approach a passer-by for a donation. Date: circa 1940s

Accordion player, Bethnal Green Road, London
An accordion player busking amidst market crowds in Londons Bethnal Green Road. Date: circa 1930s

James Stuart (engraving)
1617008 James Stuart (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: James Stuart. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 29 April 1843)

Itinerant Musicians (coloured engraving)
585473 Itinerant Musicians (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Itinerant musicians)

The Travelling Musicians (engraving)
585470 The Travelling Musicians (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Travelling Musicians, London)

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Busking, the art of street performance, has a rich history that spans across continents and generations. From the lively streets of England to the vibrant cities of Cuba, buskers have captivated audiences with their unique talents. In Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, Penny Lane became immortalized by Paul McCartney's iconic song. Here, a One-Man-Band takes center stage with his complicated apparatus and collecting box stuck on the end. His melodic tunes fill the air as passersby stop to listen in awe. Meanwhile, in Glasgow's Dukes bar, The Clash breaks boundaries during their Busking Tour. Playing live inside this intimate venue, they bring raw energy and rebellious spirit to their adoring fans. Street music becomes a family affair as a talented group of singers harmonize together. Their voices blend seamlessly as they share their love for music with anyone willing to lend an ear. Traveling further south brings us to Havana's Plaza de la Catedral in Cuba. A skilled trumpet player serenades locals and tourists alike with soulful melodies that echo through this historic square. In Santiago de Cuba, we encounter a bass player whose rhythmic beats transport listeners into another world. And nearby stands a guitar player strumming heartfelt chords that resonate deeply within all who hear him play. Back in London's bustling streets during the early 1900s, street musicians add color and charm to everyday life. Whether it be an individual playing an instrument or groups performing together - each artist contributes their own unique flair to create an enchanting atmosphere for those passing by. Taking inspiration from times gone by are street musicians accompanied by monkeys - adding an element of surprise and amusement for spectators during Victorian times. Bagpipes also make appearances alongside these talented individuals; its haunting sound blending harmoniously with traditional melodies played on various instruments. Busking continues to thrive today as modern-day London street musicians carry on this cherished tradition passed down through generations.