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Man with a viewing box, and a seller of songs, 1868-1928. Creator: Henry Reynolds Steer
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Man with a viewing box, and a seller of songs, 1868-1928. Creator: Henry Reynolds Steer
Man with a viewing box, and a seller of songs, 1868-1928. A blind man with an early version of a magic lantern is accompanied by a young woman selling sheet music. A mother holds her son's hand as he looks into the magic box. In the background a man is busy sweeping autumn leaves
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Media ID 36332785
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Blind Curiosity Curious Disabilities Disability Disabled Excited Excitement Gate Inquisitive Itinerant Magic Lantern Magic Lantern Show Novelty Parent Sheet Music Song Songs Street Seller Street Trader Street Vendor Visually Impaired Way In Watercolour Paint
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative watercolor painting by Henry Reynolds Steer, titled "Man with a Viewing Box, and a Seller of Songs, 1868-1928," transports us back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe. The scene unfolds on a bustling street, where the crisp autumn leaves are being swept away, creating a sense of change and progress. In the foreground, a blind man, intrigued by the world around him, peers into an early magic lantern, a precursor to the cinema projector. The magic lantern, a popular form of entertainment during this era, projects images onto a white screen, fueling the man's curiosity and wonder. Accompanying the blind man is a young woman selling sheet music. She holds out a stack of papers to the mother in the background, who tenderly guides her son's hand towards the music, encouraging his musical exploration. The mother's expression is filled with pride and affection, as she watches her child's fascination with the music and the magic lantern show. The painting captures the essence of the itinerant street vendors and the novelty of the magic lantern shows, which provided a way in for people to experience new concepts and ideas. The use of warm colors and intricate details in Steer's watercolor technique adds depth and texture to the scene, making it a captivating piece of heritage art from the Low Countries. This painting is a poignant reminder of the importance of curiosity, inquisitiveness, and the role of music and entertainment in shaping our lives, especially during formative childhood years. The diverse cast of characters in the painting, including the visually impaired man, the street vendor, and the mother and child, adds to the richness and complexity of the scene, making it a must-see for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
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