Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Art > Venues > Palace Theatre
A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off, 1858 (hand coloured litho on paper)
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Fine Art Finder
A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off, 1858 (hand coloured litho on paper)
7485263 A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off, 1858 (hand coloured litho on paper) by Phillips, Watts (1825-1874) ; 25x40 cm; Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Telford, Shropshire, UK; (add.info.: Artist: Watts Phillips (1825-1874)
The Leviathan, what to do with her now you've got her off. This print is with every feeling of sympathy, &c, dedicated to The Shareholders, by their obedient servants, the Publishers. Published January 1858, by Ackermann & Co (active 1829-1859), 106, Strand, London; Edmund Walker (1814-1882) lithographer; Day & Son, (William Day snr (1797-1845) William Day the younger (1823-1906)) lithographers to the Queen.
The SS Great Eastern was an iron sail-powered, paddle wheel, and screw-propelled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) and built at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames. 'Great Eastern', then by far the largest ship ever built, was taken to Deptford where she was fitted out to the standards of a luxury hotel. She was subsequently used as a passenger liner between Britain and North America before being converted to a cable-laying ship, laying the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866.
This print was issued in the month of the boat's launching in January 1858. 628ft long and with a displacement of 22,500 tons, this 'Crystal Palace of the Sea' during construction was feted by poets, song writers, photographers and artists. But her investors, already faced with mounting costs, had to attend four launching ceremonies before the ship was completely floated in January 1858. This cartoon suggests an idea for a fast return on that investment in the form of a vast pleasure centre. it shows the boat converted into a casino and concert hall and is decked with billboards advertising a variety of attractions more suited to the fairground or variety theatre than to a ship. Ironically, having been used for some years as a floating music hall and advertising hoarding for the department store Lewis's in Liverpool, the "Great Eastern" was finally broken up on Merseyside in 1889.); © Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Media ID 38183428
© © Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust / Bridgeman Images
Audience Audiences Casino Casinos Circus Circus Performance Gambling Hall Lithographic Lithographs Lithos Spectator Trains Transportations Victorian Age Victorian Era Victorian Era (1837 1901) Victorian Period Victorian Style Viewer
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> D
> William Day
> Arts
> Artists
> I
> Irish Photographer Irish Photographer
> Arts
> Artists
> I
> William Ireland
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> William Watts
> Arts
> Pop art
> Satire
> Satirical artwork
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Liverpool
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Art
> Music
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Art
> Theatre
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Art
> Venues
> Palace Theatre
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> British Museum
EDITORS COMMENTS
This hand-colored lithograph from 1858, titled "A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off," captures the imagination and ingenuity of the era. Depicting the SS Great Eastern, a monumental steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this print offers a whimsical suggestion for repurposing the massive vessel.
Measuring an impressive 628 feet long and boasting a displacement of 22,500 tons, the Great Eastern was hailed as a marvel of engineering during its time. However, faced with mounting costs and logistical challenges during construction, investors were eager to see returns on their investment. This satirical cartoon presents a creative solution - transforming the ship into a floating pleasure center complete with billboards advertising various attractions.
The image reflects the optimism and ambition of the Victorian era, where innovation and entertainment intersected in grand spectacles like the Great Eastern. From poets to photographers to artists, everyone marveled at this "Crystal Palace of the Sea." Despite being used for various purposes over the years, including laying transatlantic telegraph cables and serving as a floating music hall in Liverpool, ultimately it met its end in 1889 when it was broken up on Merseyside.
This print serves as both a historical document and a playful commentary on society's fascination with progress and spectacle. It invites viewers to ponder what could have been if this ambitious idea had come to fruition.
MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.
