Charity Begins at Home

Newly listed, this charming and quirky watercolour, showing a charitable home 'supported by voluntary contributions', captures an essence of Victorian England. Charity was a pervasive concept in Victorian society at a time when the virtues of hard work and thriftiness were valued above all else, and a lack of government financial help necessitated private philanthropy. The era saw the founding of thousands of charities, including the Salvation Army and Barnardo's. In an esoteric touch, the artist has attached a hinged piece of card to act as the opening door, the viewer actively welcomed by a bonnetted woman in the doorway.