The exhibition of Work, and other Paintings, by Ford Madox Brown, at the Gallery, 191, Piccadilly (1865)

In 1865, Ford Madox Brown held a major solo exhibition at 191 Piccadilly, London, showcasing his great painting Work alongside other pieces. One of the earliest instances of a single-artist show. Brown provided a detailed catalogue to accompany the exhibition, offering insights into the themes and subjects of his works. Of the origins of Work, he wrote in a lengthy entry on the painting:

“This picture, on account of which, in a great measure the present exhibition has been organised, was begun in 1852 at Hampstead. The background, which represents the main street of that suburb not far from the heath, was painted on the spot. At that time extensive excavations, connected with the supply of water, were going on in the neighbourhood, and seeing and studying daily as I did the British excavator, or navvy, as he designates himself, in the full swing of his activity (with his manly and picturesque costume, and with the rich glow of colour, which exercise under a hot sun will impart), it appeared to me that he was at least as worthy of the powers of an English painter, as the fisherman of the Adriatic, the peasant of the Campagna, or the Neapolitan lazzarone.”

A now scarce and crucial catalogue. Condition: covers a little worn and lightly soiled. Segment missing to bottom right corner of front cover. A small cluster of pinhole-sized indentations in the paper pages, otherwise fine.