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Dirty Father Thames
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Dirty Father Thames
Dirty Father Thames : More an open sewer than a river, the disgusting state of the Thames in London in 1849, the year of the Great Stink when Parliament was suspended because of the smell. Cartoon from " Punch", London, 1849
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Media ID 9700447
© Universal History Archive
1849 Allegorical Painting Beard British Culture Bucket Carrying Cartoon Dirty Fish Healthcare And Medicine Large Group Of Animals Looking Away One Senior Man Only Pollution Punch Sewer Thames River United Kingdom Western Script Father Thames Public Health
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Dirty Father Thames" takes us back to the year 1849, when London's iconic river was more of an open sewer than a flowing waterway. The image, originally published in the renowned satirical magazine "Punch" captures the disgusting state of the Thames during what became known as the Great Stink. In this cartoon-like depiction, we see a full-length view of Father Thames himself, personified as a senior man standing tall amidst filth and pollution. With his long beard and determined expression, he carries a bucket filled with dirty water, symbolizing the deplorable condition of the river. Behind him is a large group of animals representing various species that once called these contaminated waters home. The artwork serves as both social commentary and historical documentation. It sheds light on public health concerns prevalent in 19th-century London while highlighting British culture at that time. The suspension of Parliament due to unbearable odors emanating from the Thames underscores just how dire this situation had become. Through this allegorical painting, we are reminded of our past and how far we have come in terms of healthcare and medicine. It prompts us to appreciate efforts made towards environmental conservation and preservation today. As we gaze upon this striking image captured by Universal Images Group (UIG), it becomes evident why cleaning up Father Thames was such an urgent matter for Londoners during that era.
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