Study for Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, from Microcosm of London c. 1809

Augustus Charles Pugin made this pencil and ink on paper drawing, titled "Study for Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, from Microcosm of London", as a preparatory sketch. Here we see a room full of people in session, presumably discussing agriculture. It's a moment in time, yet this work exists because of the historical and social contexts surrounding early 19th-century London. Pugin's detailed architectural renderings often celebrated British institutions. The drawing, with its stark lines, illustrates not only the physical space but also the social hierarchies of the period. Think about who is included in this "Society." Who has a voice in shaping agricultural policies? Is it diverse, or does it reflect the power structures of the time? What does it mean to portray the encouragement of agriculture in this setting? The drawing captures a sense of the formal atmosphere, but also hints at the complex relationships between land, power, and society. This study invites us to reflect on the roles and representation of different voices in shaping our world.