Slum Housing Collection
"Unveiling the Dark Side: A Glimpse into Slum Housing Through History" Step back in time and witness the haunting reality of slum housing
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"Unveiling the Dark Side: A Glimpse into Slum Housing Through History" Step back in time and witness the haunting reality of slum housing, captured by renowned artists and photographers. Gustave Doré's illustrations transport us to 19th-century London, where The Devils Acre in Westminster (1872) reveals a grim landscape of poverty-stricken dwellings. Similarly, his depiction of Bluegate Fields (1872) and Orange Court in Drury Lane (1872) exposes the squalid conditions endured by countless souls. Traveling across the Atlantic, we arrive at The Five Points (ca. 1827?), an anonymous creation that unveils New York City's notorious neighborhood teeming with destitution and despair. Meanwhile, closer to home, Back-to-Back Houses in the North of England (1938) highlight cramped living spaces that housed entire families. The photographs from early 20th-century London paint a vivid picture of hardship. Rear of houses prior to slum clearance on Princess Road, Lambeth (1914), serves as evidence for urgent intervention needed to alleviate suffering. Birchfield Street in Poplar (1927) stands as a testament to overcrowding and dilapidation. Venturing further eastward brings us face-to-face with Philippine Islands' slums during the early 19th century through Richard Thomas Underwood's artistry (c1930s). These images remind us that this issue transcends borders and affects communities worldwide. Delving deeper into history takes us back to turn-of-the-century London; Old room in Slumland c1900 (1901) captures one such dwelling steeped in desperation while Ripe for eviction c1901 (1901) portrays lives hanging by a thread amidst impending homelessness. These glimpses into past realities serve as reminders that progress has been made but also underline our responsibility towards eradicating present-day slums.