'The Crystal Palace and its Refreshments; A Prospective Perspective View, 1854. Creator: Unknown

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'The Crystal Palace and its Refreshments; A Prospective Perspective View, 1854. Creator: Unknown

The Crystal Palace and its Refreshments; A Prospective Perspective View, 1854. From "Cassells Illustrated Family Paper; London Weekly 31/12/1853 - 30/12/1854"

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Media ID 36248761

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Alcohol Celebration Celebrations Crystal Palace Drinker Drinkers Drinking Drunk Drunken Drunkenness Excess Liquor Overindulgence Refreshment Visitor Visitors

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> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > Crystal Palace

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > Palaces

EDITORS COMMENTS
created in 1854, is an intriguing and satirical engraving from Cassells Illustrated Family Paper, a London weekly publication. The image depicts the Crystal Palace, a grand architectural marvel of the Victorian era, located in Sydenham, England. The Palace, built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was renowned for its innovative design and the vast array of exhibits it housed. In this print, the focus shifts from the Palace's grandeur to the human element, specifically the excessive consumption of alcohol by visitors. The title "refreshments" is a euphemism for the libations being served, and the perspective is deliberately skewed to emphasize the drunken revelers. The men, depicted as drunk and disorderly, are shown stumbling around the Palace's entrance, their faces contorted in various states of inebriation. The satirical nature of the print is evident in the exaggerated depiction of the drinkers, as well as the contrast between the orderly and elegant Crystal Palace and the chaotic scene unfolding at its entrance. This print serves as a commentary on the excesses and overindulgence that could accompany celebratory events, even in the context of the prestigious Crystal Palace. The print is a valuable historical document, providing insights into Victorian society and its relationship with alcohol. It also offers a unique perspective on the Crystal Palace, which was not only a symbol of British innovation and progress but also a site of human folly and excess. The print's unknown creator remains a mystery, adding to its intrigue and allure for collectors and historians alike.

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