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Study for the First Public Drinking Fountain
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Study for the First Public Drinking Fountain
Study for a genre scene of people gathered around the first public drinking fountain in London, oil on canvas signed by W.A. Atkinson, c.1859. Date: c.1859
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Media ID 15481132
© The Geffrye Museum of the Home / Mary Evans Picture Library
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This oil painting, titled "Study for the First Public Drinking Fountain" by W.A. Atkinson, dates back to approximately 1859. The image depicts an exterior scene of a bustling Victorian London street, where people of all ages and social classes gather around the newly installed public drinking fountain. The fountain, a vertical structure against a beige wall, is adorned with intricate green foliage and a trough filled with clear water. The painting is a sketchy yet detailed representation of the scene, with long, flowing brushstrokes that capture the essence of the moment. The women in the foreground, dressed in elegant Victorian attire, are seen bending down to fill their water bottles or cups from the trough. A man, standing nearby, watches the scene unfold with a sense of pride and satisfaction. A curious child peeks from behind the man's leg, taking in the activity around him. The colors used in the painting are muted and earthy, with the beige wall and green foliage providing a natural backdrop to the vibrant, blue-green water of the fountain. The overall effect is one of tranquility and community, as people come together to quench their thirst and share in the simple pleasure of access to clean water. Atkinson's skillful use of oil painting techniques brings this historical moment to life, transporting us back to a time when public drinking fountains were a novelty and a symbol of progress in urban areas. This painting is a testament to the power of art to capture and preserve the essence of a moment in history, making it a valuable addition to any collection of Victorian-era art or social history.
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