Images Dated 2018

The Hereford Mappa Mundi, (c1285), 1912. Artist: Richard de Bello

The Hereford Mappa Mundi c1285. The Hereford Mappa Mundi is currently on display at Hereford Cathedral in Hereford, England. It is the largest medieval map known to still exist. The map is signed by or attributed to one Richard of Haldingham and Lafford, also known as Richard de Bello and is drawn on a single sheet of vellum measuring 158 cm by 133 cm. Taken from A Book of Discovery, published by T. C. & E. C. Jack Ltd. 1912

© The Print Collector

Gin Lane, 1751. Artist: William Hogarth

Gin Lane, 1751.The scene is the St Giles slums. A child falls to its death from the arms of its drunk mother who sits with ulcerated legs. A skeletal figure holds an empty glass. Goods are being pawned in order to buy gin, a baby is being fed with gin, a corpse is put into a coffin in the background.The pawnbroker, distiller and undertaker are the only well-off and successful people in the neighbourhood. Third of four states of plate. This print was published in support of a campaign directed against gin drinking among London's poor. Consumption of cheap spirits by the poor had soared in the early eighteenth century, with dire social consequences. Gin inspires violence and careless inebriation. Addiction to spirits leads to negligence, poverty and death

© London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) / Heritage-Images

Revelling with Harlots, plate III of A Rakes Progress, 1735

Revelling with Harlots, plate III of A Rake's Progress, 1735. Tom Rakewell and a companion consorting with harlots in a tavern. On the right two women steal Rakewell's watch under the pretext of love-making. To the left a young woman dresses herself, and around a table in centre of room other harlots drink and fight

© London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) / Heritage-Images