Pnt71

I visited the Huntington Library in Pasadena to witness the Pugin, Prisons, and the Plight of the Poor Collection exhibit. These images are comprised of etchings, drypoint, and drawings of old British prisons. The artwork that stood out to me was Henry Rushbury's Debtor's Prison, York which was created in 1933. This is an etching and drypoint on paper that reflects the societal problems of the establishment of the prison system in 19th century Britain.

Firstly, Henry Rushbury was an etcher and a successful painter who studied art from a young age. Furthermore, he was prominent in various art clubs and academies. The society in 19th century Britain revolved around the establishment of the prison system which illustrated the roles of criminals in society. Debtor's Prison emphasizes the creativity and imagination that was expelled from Rushbury's mind. The attention to detail in the line work reveals the extreme talent and mastery of the process of etching. This is evident the excellent utilization of shading and precise line work on the prison facility, the motion in the water, and the extraneous detail in the bridge and stairs. The darkened sky also emphasizes the prison facility as the main focal point of the image. With this in mind, the aesthetic in the architecture is what drives the Pugin, Prisons, and the Plight of the Poor Collection. This is also seen in the architectural design and templates presented in the other works of art in this collection. Most importantly, the strain and pressure endowed to the English society further sparks the creative approach to the prison system of the time.

When I analyze this image, the first thing that comes to mind is the process of attaining this image. The precision is crucial to the finished output and understanding the multiple steps and hours of etching signify extreme value and reward. I was specifically drawn to the prison facility and the attention to detail. It made me feel as though I was part of the scene and forced to live in that time era.