The Errand 1883

William Strang created this etching, titled ‘The Errand’, in the late 19th or early 20th century, a period marked by significant social stratification in Britain. Strang often depicted scenes of rural life and labor, reflecting the realities of the working class. In this piece, we see a woman carefully adjusting a cloak on a child, possibly preparing them for an important task, an errand. Another figure sits nearby, perhaps resting. The figures appear to be women, suggesting their role in the family. The work evokes a sense of everyday life, highlighting the labor and care performed by women in this community. Strang seems to focus on the dignity and resilience of the people. While this is an idealized image, it also acknowledges the lives of those often overlooked in mainstream representations. Through its intimate portrayal of domestic life and labor, the artwork invites us to consider the lives and experiences of working-class families and their place in British society.