Background People Collection

Advertising poster for the Flying Boats of Imperial Airways
1198131 Advertising poster for the Flying Boats of Imperial Airways, 1937 (offset colour lithograph) by English School, (20th century)

Catal Huyuk, ancient settlement in Anatolia, Turkey, from c. 6500 BC

Illustrated map of India showing ancient Mauryan empire

Nice Riviera
The Nice riviera, in southern France, April 1922. The seafront at the little town of Nice became known as " La Promenade des Anglais"

Austria, Vienna, View of the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), color print, 1925
Austria - 20th century. Vienna. Staatsoper (State Opera House), 1925

Beach, Mwnt, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, Europe
Andrew Davies / SpecialistStock

Germany, Berlin, Set design for performance The Magic Flute, the Queen of the night
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), 1791. Set design by Simon Quaglio (1795-1878), the Queen of the Night. Performance at Berlin, 1818

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, Europe
Andrew Davies / SpecialistStock

Deck of Pont Aven ferry, Brittany Ferries, Plymouth to Roscoff crossing, Atlantic Ocean
Andrew Davies / SpecialistStock

Illustrated map of ancient Japan

Illustrated map of Indus Valley civilisation

Golfers on golf course, woman preparing to strike, caddy standing nearby

Illustrated map of ancient Persia

Illustrated map of ancient Assyrian empire

Illustrated map of ancient Arab trade routes and pilgrimage sites

Illustration of parachuters dropping from plane

Czech Republic, Prague, painting of old town square at night
Jacob Johann Verreyt (1807-1872), Night View of Prague. The Old Town Square

Austria, Vienna, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria at the Annual Viennese ball
Wilhelm Gause (1853-1916), Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria (1830-1916) at the Annual Viennese Ball. Detail: the waltz

Egypt, entrance to Temple of Luxor, engraving based on drawing by David Roberts
Egypt, 19th century. Entrance to the Temple of Luxor. Engraving based on a drawing by David Roberts (1796-1864), from " Egypt and Nubia", 1846-1850

Colossal Nero statue, 1st century, drawing
Ancient Rome. Colossal Nero statue. Rome, 1st century. Color illustration

France, Rouen, Neros Domus Aurea (Golden House), Laocoon Hall
Georges Chedanne (1861-1940), Neros Domus Aurea (Golden House): the Laocoon Hall

Italy, Venice, Perspective view of the Grand Canal with the Ospedale della Pieta, engraving by A. Porzio and A. Della Via, 1686 17th Century, Museo correr (Art Museum)

Egypt, ruins of Luxor from River Nile, engraving based on drawing by David Roberts
Egypt, 19th century. View of the ruins of Luxor from the river Nile. Engraving based on a drawing by David Roberts (1796-1864), from " Egypt and Nubia", 1846-1850

Italy, Catania, Duomo Square with St Agatas Cathedral and Elephant Fountain
Italy, 19th century. Catania. Duomo Square with St Agatas Cathedral and the Elephant Fountain

A very rare Dutch Delft blue and white rectangular plaque
1766903 A very rare Dutch Delft blue and white rectangular plaque, depicting wayfarers on a road in a wooded landscape (porcelain) by Frijtom

Paolo and Francesca da Rimini, 1863 (oil on canvas)
989657 Paolo and Francesca da Rimini, 1863 (oil on canvas) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); 280.6x193.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Paolo and Francesca da Rimini. Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The Chess Game, 1896 (oil on panel)
989236 The Chess Game, 1896 (oil on panel) by Deutsch, Ludwig (1855-1935); 55x41.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Chess Game. Ludwig Deutsch (1855-1935). Oil on panel. Signed and dated 1896

The Blue Boat, 1929 (oil on board)
1197395 The Blue Boat, 1929 (oil on board) by Wood, Christopher (1901-30); 40x55.9 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Grand Portico of the Temple of Philae - Nubia, 1842-1849 (tinted lithograph)
985994 Grand Portico of the Temple of Philae - Nubia, 1842-1849 (tinted lithograph) by Roberts, David (1796-1864); 62.5x45 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Epsom Derby
Spectators watch the races from the roof of their car during the Epsom Derby in Surrey, 27th May 1925. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Apartment Buildings Along City Street; Montreal, Quebec, Canada

16th century timber-framed mansion

Gymnastics arena

Busy street at Plaza Hotel, New York City, (B&W), (Elevated view)

Italy, Florence, View of Florence with Ponte alle Grazie by Emilio Burci
Emilio Burci (1811-1877). View of Florence with the Ponte alle Grazie

Czech Republic, Prague, View of the citadel, color engraving from Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Georg Braun (1541-1622) and Franz Hogenberg (1535-1590) 16th-17th century

New and Accurate Map of Ancient and Modern Rome by Jean van Ram, copperplate, printed in Amsterdam circa 1691-1693
Cartography. Italy, 17th century. New and accurate map of Ancient and Modern Rome by Jean van Ram, Amsterdam 1691-1693 ca. Copperplate 50 x 59 cm

St. Tropez, (oil on canvas)
657448 St. Tropez, (oil on canvas) by Hankey, William Lee (1869-1952); Private Collection; (add.info.: St.Tropez. William Lee Hankey (1869-1952). Oil on canvas

The Harbour, St Ives, (oil on canvas)
657970 The Harbour, St Ives, (oil on canvas) by Hankey, William Lee (1869-1952); 58x71 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Harbour, St Ives. William Lee Hankey (1869-1952). Oil on canvas

Piccadilly and Hatchetts Hotel, London, c. 1887 (albumen print)
1769880 Piccadilly and Hatchetts Hotel, London, c.1887 (albumen print) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Piccadilly and Hatchetts Hotel, London)

Viaduct across the Sankey Valley, 1831 (colour aquatints, partly hand-coloured)
1198423 Viaduct across the Sankey Valley, 1831 (colour aquatints, partly hand-coloured) by Bury, Thomas Talbot (1811-77) (after); 26.5x66 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English

A Parisian Flower Market, (oil on canvas)
989521 A Parisian Flower Market, (oil on canvas) by Gilbert, Victor Gabriel (1847-1933); 137.5x46.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Parisian Flower Market. Victor Gabriel Gilbert (1847-1933)

Swimming pool, swimmers on start blocks

Illustrated map of Roman Empire, BC

Illustration of people, customs, artefacts, monuments from ancient civilisations and indigenous cultures around the world, including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Persia, Phoenicia, Inca, Maya, Aztec

J1693071, diry 18757, outdoors, day, river, T / BRI / COBHAM / SURREY, background people
The village of Church Cobham on the River Mole in Surrey, circa 1930. Just visible on the right is Cedar House, a National Trust property, and Cobham Mill is on the left

Interior of the winter Bierhaus in Vienna by Wilhelm Gause (1853-1916), watercolor 20th century, Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien (History Museum)

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"Unveiling the Unseen: The Enigmatic Lives of Background People" Step into a time-traveling journey through history and art, where the spotlight may not always shine on them, but their presence is undeniable. From Launceston in 1909 to Catal Huyuk's ancient settlement in Anatolia, Turkey circa 6500 BC, these they have silently witnessed the ebb and flow of human existence. Picture yourself strolling along Mwnt Beach in Ceredigion, Wales, as if you were one of those nameless figures dotting the shoreline. Feel their connection to nature as they blend seamlessly with Europe's picturesque landscapes. In contrast, witness the intensity of a fencing match between Mademoiselle La Chevaliere D Eon De Beaumont and Monsieur De Saint George captured by Victor Marie Picot; even though they are at center stage, it is impossible to ignore those surrounding faces that add depth to this historic moment. Travel back further in time to St. Albans in 1809; George Sidney Shepherd's brush strokes bring forth an era where everyday individuals played supporting roles amidst grand architecture and bustling streets. Meanwhile, within The Keigwin Arms pub in Mousehole, Cornwall during 1936 - an anonymous creator immortalized ordinary folks engaged in lively conversations over pints. As we move across continents and epochs like Bodinnick Fowey c1930 or explore India's ancient Mauryan empire on an illustrated map - we uncover stories hidden behind regal empires or exotic locales. These background people become threads connecting us to forgotten tales waiting for rediscovery. From Nice Riviera's sun-kissed shores to Berlin's theatrical magic flutes designed by unknown artists - these figures embody universality transcending borders and cultures. They remind us that while some take center stage under life’s spotlight others quietly shape our world from backstage. In Cookham circa 1898, an unknown creator captures a moment of contemplation.