Detention Facility Collection

The Count of Monte Christo, ca 1850-60 (illustration)
7422840 The Count of Monte Christo, ca 1850-60 (illustration); (add.info.: Literature. The Count of Monte Christo, novel by Alexandre Dumas (1844)

Title page of Le Bagne, by Albert Londres, 1923 (print)
8723987 Title page of Le Bagne, by Albert Londres, 1923 (print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Title page of the book by Albert Londres (1884-1932) "Le Bagne"

Saint Peter in prison, 15th century (miniature)
AIS5340635 Saint Peter in prison, 15th century (miniature); Archivo de la Corona de Aragon, Barcelona, Spain; (add.info.: Miniature from " Misal de San Cugat del Valles "); © Iberfoto

Prison Ship York in Portsmouth Harbour, 1807 (etching)
7341890 Prison Ship York in Portsmouth Harbour, 1807 (etching) by Cooke, Edward William (1811-80); 21.6x28.4 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

A group seated at a table, 1802 (pen, ink)
7339867 A group seated at a table, 1802 (pen, ink) by Baxter, Thomas (1782-1821); 12.9x9.3 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Count Ugolino in prison, 1897 (engraving)
8683379 Count Ugolino in prison, 1897 (engraving) by Rodin, Auguste (1840-1917) (after); Musee Goupil, Bordeaux, France; (add.info.: "Count Ugolino in prison", after Auguste Rodin, 1897)

View near Woolwich, Kent, England, depicting the use of forces to build pontoons
MMM5480415 View near Woolwich, Kent, England, depicting the use of forces to build pontoons (disarmed vessels used as floating prisons); National Maritime Museum, London

The Jail, Bunyan Asleep (engraving)
8673725 The Jail, Bunyan Asleep (engraving) by Watson, James Dawson (1832-92); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Jail, Bunyan Asleep)

Condemned cell, Chichester City Jail, Sussex (b/w photo)
8676011 Condemned cell, Chichester City Jail, Sussex (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Condemned cell, Chichester City Jail, Sussex)

Portrait of Baroness Staal imprisoned after the conspiracy of Cellamare, 1844 (engraving)
ELD4958015 Portrait of Baroness Staal imprisoned after the conspiracy of Cellamare, 1844 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Marguerite de Launay)

Warder inspecting a prison cell, 1889
3479511 Warder inspecting a prison cell, 1889; (add.info.: Warder inspects a prison cell, before locking up prisoner for the night. Wormwood scrubs prison, London)

Alexandrevsky Central Prison, Siberia, 1850
3479368 Alexandrevsky Central Prison, Siberia, 1850; (add.info.: Alexandrevsky Central Prison, Siberia, Russia.); Universal History Archive/UIG

American prison life, 1850
3479365 American prison life, 1850; (add.info.: American prison life: New York City house of correction, Blackwell's Island. Convicts on outdoor work.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Newgate Prison in London 1800, 1800
3479352 Newgate Prison in London 1800, 1800; (add.info.: Newgate Prison in London, 1800.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Portland Prison Dorset, 1884
3479344 Portland Prison Dorset, 1884; (add.info.: Portland Prison Dorset Convicts working in the stone quarries. The prisoners were given education classes in the evening)

Warships at anchor, 1850
3479382 Warships at anchor, 1850; (add.info.: Warships at anchor at the mouth of the Thames awaiting the tide. The vessel on the right is a sailing vessel while the one next to her is transitional)

Convicts working, 1888
3479343 Convicts working, 1888; (add.info.: Convicts working in the stone quarries on the island of Portland. Dated 15th December 1888.); Universal History Archive/UIG

An inmate having his picture taken, 1850
3478171 An inmate having his picture taken, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an inmate of Newgate Prison for police records. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The convict hulk Warrior, 1850
3330675 The convict hulk Warrior, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of the chapel on board the convict hulk Warrior'. This hulk held 600 prisoners who were used as labour in the government dockyards)

Chained woman, 19th century (oil on canvas)
AIS5356079 Chained woman, 19th century (oil on canvas); Prado, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: Chained woman. Painting by Eugenio Lucas y Padilla)

View of the boat prison (or hulk) Justitia, with inmates doing forced labour at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich (London)
MMM5485416 View of the boat prison (or hulk) Justitia, with inmates doing forced labour at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich (London, England); National Maritime Museum, London

Engraving depicting Pentonville Prison, London, 19th century
5308889 Engraving depicting Pentonville Prison, London, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Pentonville Prison, London. Dated 19th century 01/02/1843); Universal History Archive/UIG

Fidelio, opera by L. van Beethoven. c.1900 (chromo)
3433692 Fidelio, opera by L. van Beethoven. c.1900 (chromo); (add.info.: Music. Classical music. Fidelio, opera by L. van Beethoven. Imagery, France, ca 1900.); Photo © CCI

Disturbed inmate, 1889
3479379 Disturbed inmate, 1889; (add.info.: Disturbed inmate of Woking jail placed in the padded cell. 7th September 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG

American prison life, 1850
3479367 American prison life, 1850; (add.info.: American prison life: New York City house of correction, Blackwell's Island. Convicts returning from outdoor work.); Universal History Archive/UIG

American prison life, 1850
3479366 American prison life, 1850; (add.info.: American prison life: New York City house of correction, Blackwell's Island.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Thames barge carrying hay, a prison hulk and other shipping at Rochester, on the River Medway, 1822 (mezzotint)
7341807 Thames barge carrying hay, a prison hulk and other shipping at Rochester, on the River Medway, 1822 (mezzotint) by Turner

Prison Scene in Rome, 1837 (oil on canvas)
8711989 Prison Scene in Rome, 1837 (oil on canvas) by Marstrand, Wilhelm (1810-73); Nivaagaards Malerisamling, Niva, Denmark; (add.info.: by Wilhelm Marstrand)

Women prisoners, 1889
3479358 Women prisoners, 1889; (add.info.: Women prisoners working in the laundry. Fulham refuge, London. From a print published London 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Women prisoners, 1889
3479357 Women prisoners, 1889; (add.info.: Women prisoners working the pump during fire drill - Fulham Refuge, London. Illustration published London, 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Nottingham, 1885
3479349 Nottingham, 1885; (add.info.: Nottingham: the old town hall and prison. Dated 1885.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Carpenter's shop, 1884
3479342 Carpenter's shop, 1884; (add.info.: Carpenter's shop in Portsmouth prison, Hampshire, England. Convicts working under supervision)

Convicted prisoner, 1867
3479445 Convicted prisoner, 1867; (add.info.: Convicted prisoner defiantly expressing his opinion of authority as he is taken from court to prison in a police van a black Maria illustrated by)

An early method of taking mug shots, 1850
3478390 An early method of taking mug shots, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an early method of taking mug shots of criminals. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour with the convicts going on board, 1829 (etching)
7341761 Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour with the convicts going on board, 1829 (etching) by Cooke, Edward William (1811-80); 20.9x28.9 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Portrait of Captain Sidney Smith (1764-1840), imprisoned at the Abbey of Paris, captured in 1795
MMM5481764 Portrait of Captain Sidney Smith (1764-1840), imprisoned at the Abbey of Paris, captured in 1795, during the wars of the French Revolution, on the coast of France

Fleet Prison, 1843
3479360 Fleet Prison, 1843; (add.info.: Interior courtyard at the Fleet Prison. Dated 1843.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Newgate prison, 1881
3479354 Newgate prison, 1881; (add.info.: Newgate prison, London. Prisoners attending Sunday service in the prison chapel. From a print published London, 1881.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Newgate prison, 1881
3479353 Newgate prison, 1881; (add.info.: Newgate prison, London. The condemned cell. From a print published London 1881.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Dinner parade, 1889
3479524 Dinner parade, 1889; (add.info.: Dinner parade. Cooks waiting for the Governor. Wormwood Scrubs. From The Graphic, London, 12th October, 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Dictionary: Treadmill (engraving)
8636601 Dictionary: Treadmill (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Treadmill. Illustration for A Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Crabb (3rd edn)

Don't forget the number (colour litho)
8656616 Don't forget the number (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Don't forget the number. Prison guard standing in front of a cell)

The York Convict Hulk in Portsmouth Harbour with another hulk beyond, 1833 (graphite)
7341739 The York Convict Hulk in Portsmouth Harbour with another hulk beyond, 1833 (graphite) by Cooke, Edward William (1811-80); 10.2x24.4 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Painful Farewell, 1802 (hand coloured engraving)
8690962 The Painful Farewell, 1802 (hand coloured engraving) by Ledru (Le Dru), Hilaire (1769-1840) (after); Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Tread mill, 1835
3479377 Tread mill, 1835; (add.info.: Tread mill at Brixton prison. Introduced for prison discipline by William Cubitt of Ipswich. Dated 1835.); Universal History Archive/UIG

American prison life, 1850
3479364 American prison life, 1850; (add.info.: American prison life: New York City house of correction, Blackwell's Island. The dining room.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Dartmoor Prison, 1884
3479363 Dartmoor Prison, 1884; (add.info.: Dartmoor Prison: Scenes of convict life. Printed 1884.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Dartmoor Prison, 1884
3479362 Dartmoor Prison, 1884; (add.info.: Dartmoor Prison: Penal Servitude the middle panel shows prisoners in the tailoring shop making uniforms)

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"Exploring the Depths: A Glimpse into Detention Facilities Through Art" Step inside the world of detention facilities as we delve into a captivating collection of artworks that shed light on this intriguing subject. From ancient frescoes to modern oil paintings, each piece offers a unique perspective on the concept of confinement and its impact on individuals. In "Cell and Library at the prison at Fresnes, 1907, " an evocative print captures the stark reality of life behind bars. The somber atmosphere is juxtaposed with Saint Peter's majestic presence in "Saint Peter on a throne surrounded by biblical scenes. " This painting reminds us that even within imprisonment, faith can provide solace and hope. The Life Cycle of St. John the Baptist series takes us through various stages of his existence, including his time spent in prison depicted in "St. John the Baptist in prison, 1433-35. " Here, we witness both despair and resilience amidst captivity. Similarly, a predella panel showcases baptism as an act of liberation for prisoners while highlighting their subsequent martyrdom. Moving forward in history, "The storming of the Bastille and the arrest of M. De Launay" immortalizes a pivotal moment when imprisonment became synonymous with revolution. Nicola Vaccaro's poignant depiction titled "The beheading of saint John the Baptist" serves as a reminder that detention has often been associated with persecution throughout centuries. Shifting focus to individual stories within these walls, "La Citoyenne Tallien" portrays one woman who defied societal norms during her time imprisoned. Her strength echoes through time as she challenges conventions from behind bars. Sculptures also play their part in narrating tales from detention facilities; one such example being Qasr el Koba's grey granite statue depicting an anonymous prisoner from ancient times—a silent witness to countless stories left untold. However, not all narratives are filled with despair; "Saint Peter released from prison" showcases the triumph of freedom and redemption.