John and Dot 

John Leech, a prominent social caricaturist during the Victorian era, created "John and Dot" in black and white. This intimate scene invites us into the domestic world of a couple by the hearth. Leech’s work often captured the nuances of British society, particularly its class dynamics. Here, we see the cozy interior of what appears to be a working-class home, filled with humble yet comforting details, all softened by the warm glow of the fire. The depiction of John, the man, smoking his pipe while Dot, the woman, sits quietly, perhaps speaks to the gendered expectations of the time. Whose labor is valued, and whose is not? The presence of a cat adds a layer of emotional warmth. The broken toy on the floor suggests a narrative of domesticity touched by the realities of daily life. Leech encourages us to reflect on our own relationships to home, comfort, and each other. In this piece, we find a quiet invitation to consider the unspoken stories within our own domestic spheres.