Artwork

The International Exhibition of 1862: No. 39 - The North-East Gallery of Architectural Designs

The International Exhibition of 1862: No. 39 - The North-East Gallery of Architectural Designs is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist William England. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The walls are covered in framed sketches of buildings—castles, houses, and bridges.

This photo shows a long room packed with drawings. The walls are covered in framed sketches of buildings—castles, houses, and bridges. A few people stand inside, looking at the work. The floor is shiny, and the ceiling has big arches.

The photo was taken in 1862 at a big art show. The drawings focus on architecture, not people or landscapes.

Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more old photos like this.

Overview

This 1862 photograph captures the North-East Gallery of Architectural Designs at the International Exhibition in South Kensington, London, showcasing a crowded space filled with framed architectural drawings on the walls, a polished floor, and arched ceilings, with a few attendees examining the works.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph's subject is the exhibition of architectural designs, highlighting 19th-century interests in building design, including castles, houses, and bridges, with the absence of people or landscapes in the drawings underscoring the event's architectural focus.

Technique & Style

Produced as a stereo card by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, this photograph is part of a 350-stereograph series, contributed to by William England, utilizing stereo photography to capture the depth and detail of the exhibition space.

History & Provenance

Taken in 1862, the photo is part of a commissioned series by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, who held exclusive photography rights for the International Exhibition, with the image now associated with the Victoria and Albert Museum's historical photography collection.

Context

The photograph provides a glimpse into the International Exhibition of 1862, a significant event promoting international achievement in arts, sciences, and industries, with this gallery specifically reflecting Victorian-era architectural preoccupations.

Legacy

As part of a pioneering photographic series, the image contributes to the early documentary use of photography for large public events, while also preserving a visual record of 19th-century architectural tastes and exhibition practices.

Artist & collection

Artist

William England

William England carried a stereo camera everywhere, snapping the 1862 London world’s fair in 3D photos so people could step right into the crowds, glass domes, and medieval carvings.