Home > Arts > Artists > M > Phil May
A Swell, c1896, (1897). Artist: Philip William May
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
A Swell, c1896, (1897). Artist: Philip William May
A Swell, c1896, (1897). From The Studio Volume 9. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1897]
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14973580
© The Print Collector
Cleaning Comic Comical Confusion Grooming Ink On Paper Phil May Philip May Philip William Philip William May Pipe Pretence Pretending Shoe Shoes Shoeshine Boy Street Children Street Corner Street Life Studio Publications Studio Volume 9 Tobacco Pipe Footwear Metaphor Satirical
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> M
> Phil May
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> William White
> Arts
> Pop art
> Satire
> Satirical artwork
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "A Swell, c1896" by Philip William May takes us back to the bustling streets of 19th century London. The image captures a scene filled with lively street life and an array of characters. In the foreground, we see a young shoeshine boy diligently working on polishing a gentleman's shoes while puffing on his tobacco pipe. The artist skillfully portrays the stark contrast between social classes through this comical yet thought-provoking composition. The well-dressed man being attended to represents wealth and privilege, while the shoeshine boy embodies poverty and struggle. This satirical depiction serves as a metaphor for societal pretense and the concept of "going up in the world". Amidst all this activity, other individuals can be seen watching from afar, adding an element of confusion and curiosity to the scene. The intricate details captured by May bring out every nuance in clothing, grooming styles, and facial expressions. This print is part of Studio Volume 9 publication from 1897, showcasing May's exceptional talent as an illustrator capturing street corners during that era. It offers viewers a glimpse into daily life at that time while also highlighting important social issues such as poverty. Overall, this monochrome masterpiece invites us to reflect upon our own society's dynamics and reminds us that appearances can often be deceiving.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
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.
