Illustration for 'Ingoldsby Legends' c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is John Leech’s "Illustration for 'Ingoldsby Legends'," created sometime in the 19th century. It's a coloured-pencil drawing, and it's...well, pretty bizarre. There’s a woman about to lower a well bucket, and there’s already a man's head stuck inside one! How would you interpret the social context of a piece like this? Curator: The key to understanding this lies in understanding its original audience. Illustrations like this one were intended for a rising middle class who had increasing access to illustrated books and periodicals. It reflects their appetite for narratives that were simultaneously entertaining and moralizing. Editor: Moralizing? It just seems strange. Curator: Think about what a scene like this might represent within that social context. Is it possible that the man stuck in the bucket is a figure of ridicule, perhaps representing someone who has fallen from grace? Editor: Maybe? I hadn't considered the moral implications. It's interesting that humour might carry social commentary. So, the setting–a humble courtyard–that also sends a message? Curator: Exactly. The ordinary setting heightens the scene's relatability. It invites the viewer to imagine this scenario in their own world, perhaps reinforcing social norms through this slightly absurd, even cartoonish, depiction of consequences. Leech was commenting on the world of the rising middle class and how it viewed itself through narratives. What do you think the water well symbolizes, in light of social function of narrative? Editor: Okay, so looking at it that way… the well could be about facing the potential consequences. And maybe there's also a power dynamic at play with the woman controlling the situation? I initially missed so much of that. Curator: It’s all about teasing out the layers, isn't it? Examining how this type of image contributes to forming and perpetuating collective beliefs can offer us insight into Victorian values and anxieties. Editor: Absolutely! I'm now seeing a lot more nuance to something that seemed purely odd. It's a window into 19th century culture, and makes me realize how art serves as a marker of evolving perspectives on a variety of societal functions.