Panopticon Collection

State Penitentiary at Stateville, Joliet, Illinois, USA
Interior view of a cell block at the Illinois State Penitentiary at Stateville, near Joliet, Illinois, USA. The prison was designed using the panopticon principle promoted by Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Benthams Panopticon
Jeremy Benthams proposed panopticon workhouse or industry house for up to 2000 inmates. The scheme, published in Benthams 1812 work Pauper Management Improved

The Luminous Fountain, at the Panopticon, Leicester-Square, 1854. Creator: Unknown
The Luminous Fountain, at the Panopticon, Leicester-Square, 1854. Thousands of sight-seers have already seen the magnificent Fountain at the Royal Panopticon

Santo Stefano with the panopticon prison, Pontine islands, Tyrrhenian sea, Mediterranean sea, Latina province, Latium, Central Italy, Italy

The panopticon prison on top of Santo Stefano Island with Ventotene island in the background, Santo stefano and Ventotene Islands, Pontine Islands archipelago, Latium, Italy

The luminous fountain at the Panopticon, Leicester Square, London (engraving)
586202 The luminous fountain at the Panopticon, Leicester Square, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The luminous fountain at the Panopticon)

Plan of the Panopticon (engraving)
5213116 Plan of the Panopticon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Plan of the Panopticon)

The Panopticon, in 1854 (engraving)
3636508 The Panopticon, in 1854 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Panopticon, in 1854)

Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester Square, London (engraving)
583316 Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester Square, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester Square)

Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester-Square (engraving)
1618843 Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester-Square (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interior of the Panopticon, Leicester-Square)

The Walpole Islanders at the Panopticon (engraving)
1097586 The Walpole Islanders at the Panopticon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Walpole Islanders at the Panopticon)

Prison Break
Michiel Hageman

PANOPTICAN, LONDON 1854
Built in 1854 by T Hayter Lewis as The Royal Panopticon, used for scientific exhibitions. Converted to the Alhambra Music Hall in 1864. Date: 1854

The Panopticon, 1854 (1897). From Old and New London Vol III by Edward Walford. [Cassell and Company Ltd, London, 1897]

Presidio Modelo Prison, Isla de Pinos, Cuba
General view of the Presidio Modelo Prison on the Isla de Pinos (Isle of Pines), Cuba, now renamed Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth)

The Organ at the Royal Panopticon. 1854

Jeremy Benthams Panopticon - section
A sectional view of Jeremy Benthams scheme for a panopticon workhouse to hold up to 2000 inmates. The design, published in Benthams 1812 work Pauper Management Improved

Jeremy Benthams Panopticon - elevation
The elevation view of Jeremy Benthams scheme for a panopticon workhouse to hold up to 2000 inmates. The design, published in Benthams 1812 work Pauper Management Improved

Jeremy Benthams Panopticon - ground plan

Jeremy Benthams Panopticon - bed designs
Bed designs in Jeremy Benthams proposed panopticon workhouse to hold up to 2000 inmates. The scheme, published in Benthams 1812 work Pauper Management Improved

Leicester Square
The Luminous Fountain, one of the dramatic features of the Panopticon in Leicester Square

The Royal Panopticon, Leicester Square, London, 1852
Engraving showing the Royal Panopticon of Science and Art, which was being built in Leicester Square during 1852. When constructed the Panopticons dome was somewhat smaller in size than this image

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The concept of the panopticon, originally proposed by Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century, has left its mark on various locations around the world. One such place is the State Penitentiary at Stateville, Joliet, Illinois, USA. This prison embodies the principles of surveillance and control that define a panopticon. Across the ocean lies another example of this architectural marvel - Santo Stefano with the panopticon prison. Located on one of Pontine islands in Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea, this structure stands as a testament to humanity's desire for complete visibility and dominance over its subjects. From afar, you can witness an awe-inspiring sight - the panopticon prison atop Santo Stefano Island with Ventotene island serving as a picturesque backdrop. These two islands form part of the Pontine Islands archipelago in Latium, Central Italy. The serene beauty surrounding this imposing structure creates an intriguing juxtaposition between freedom and confinement. In bustling London sits Leicester Square's Panopticon - a luminous fountain that captivates visitors' attention day and night. Its enchanting display symbolizes society's fascination with observation and spectacle. Through engravings from different eras, we catch glimpses into both historical reality and imaginative depictions of these panoptic spaces. Whether it be a detailed plan or an interior view showcasing rows upon rows of cells under constant scrutiny, these images transport us back to a time when discipline was enforced through surveillance. However, not all stories associated with they are bound by their walls. Popular culture has embraced this theme too; think "Prison Break, " where individuals challenge their confines using wit and determination against all odds. The idea behind the panopticon continues to intrigue us today as we grapple with questions about power dynamics within our own societies. It serves as a reminder that even amidst progress and modernity, our longing for control and the desire to break free are eternal struggles.