William Powell Frith
English, 1819-1909
The Crossing Sweeper, 1858
Oil on Canvas
13.98 x 16.93 in. (35.5x 43 cm)
The Museum of London 2003.54
In the years of 1854-1862, William Powell Frith concentrated on painting modern scenes that reflected the British society in the mid-Victorian era. The Crossing Sweeper accomplishes this by recreating an everyday occurrence in the streets of 19th century London. Frith amplified this everyday occurrence by solely focusing on the brief, but extremely poignant meeting between the poor crossing sweeper and the wealthy woman. The portrayal of a pretty, upper class lady dressed in an elaborately designed petticoat, woven skirt, and boots along with the buildings of west London with stucco facades are representative of the wealth of the era. Thriving opulently in great contrast to the young, poverty-stricken crossing sweeper with his ragged clothes, bare feet, and broom trying to make ends meet sweeping the muddy streets. This work exists as a striking reminder of the injustice that occurred along with the prosperity of that era.
Dylan Brooks
An extended look at William Powell Frith’s The Crossing Sweeper