The Half Hour Before Dinner
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
The Half Hour Before Dinner
Humorous scene showing a family and guests, dressed in evening attire, waiting for Christmas dinner to be served. An old man dozes in an armchair, a man looks at his pocket watch as he leans by the fireplace and some fractious children start to fight. The cook stands out in the hallway looking worried. Dinner time was an elaborate family affair during the Victorian era, with an army of servants used to cook and serve food in upper class homes
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Media ID 4363468
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10216451
1871 Arm Chair Attire Cook Dinner Dressed Elaborate Fight Fire Place Guests Half Hall Way Homes Hour Leans Pocket Servants Serve Served Stands Start Waiting Watch Worried Dozes Upper
EDITORS COMMENTS
A Humorous Scene of Christmas Dinner Preparations in the Victorian Era: 'The Half Hour Before Dinner' (Mary Evans Prints Online, ILN 21, 1871) In this charming and humorous print from the Illustrated London News, we are transported back in time to a Victorian-era Christmas dinner, where an elaborate and meticulously planned affair is unfolding. The scene shows a well-dressed family and their guests, all gathered in the dining room, eagerly anticipating the start of the meal. The old man in the armchair, dressed in his finest evening attire, dozes off by the fireplace, oblivious to the excitement building around him. A man in the foreground leans against the mantelpiece, checking his pocket watch, no doubt anxious for the meal to begin on time. Meanwhile, in the background, some fractious children start to bicker and fight, causing their mother or nanny to look on with concern. The cook, dressed in her uniform, stands nervously in the hallway, worrying about the final preparations and the timing of the meal. Dinner time was a grand and elaborate affair during the Victorian era, with an army of servants used to cook and serve the food in upper class homes. The importance of a well-executed dinner party was a reflection of the host's social standing and status. This humorous print captures the anticipation and excitement of the moment before the meal, as well as the chaos and unpredictability that often comes with large family gatherings. The print is a delightful reminder of the rich history and traditions of Christmas dinners during the Victorian era.
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