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Census - Cruikshank
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Census - Cruikshank
Taking the Census. The head of an oversized, extended family has difficulty remembering the names of his kin and servants let alone how many there are! Date: 1851
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Media ID 20146297
© Bubblepunk
1851 Census Community Cruikshank Difficulty Extended Names Oversized Population Remembering Servants Taking
EDITORS COMMENTS
Taking the Census: A Humorous Depiction of an Oversized Family by Cruikshank, 1851 This intriguing print by the renowned English satirist, George Cruikshank, titled "Taking the Census," offers a humorous take on the 1851 census-taking process. The image portrays a crowded room filled with an oversized, extended family and their servants, all gathered around a table, as a frazzled and frustrated head of the household attempts to record their names and numbers for the census. The census, a vital tool for recording population data, was first introduced in England and Wales in 1801, and the 1851 census was the first to include detailed information on individuals' occupations, ages, and places of birth. Cruikshank's print captures the chaos and complexity of this process, as the head of the household struggles to keep track of the multitude of faces before him. The oversized family and servants in the print add to the comedic element, with some characters appearing almost comically large, while others are crammed into the frame, creating a sense of disorder and confusion. Cruikshank's use of exaggeration and satire highlights the challenges of accurately recording a community's population during a time when families were often large and households included numerous servants. This print not only provides a glimpse into the past, but also offers a humorous commentary on the census-taking process and the challenges of recording a community's population during a time when families were often large and households included numerous servants. With its intricate details and lively energy, Cruikshank's "Taking the Census" remains a fascinating and entertaining piece of social history.
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