3-003-983 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Progress of the Great International Exhibition building: the workmen leaving the grounds, [South Kensington, London], 1861. Our engraving represents a picturesque scene enough, which takes place in the closing gloom every evening - the workmen employed upon the building (in round numbers, some thousand) leaving the building and proceeding to their homes. Such a mass of human industry and intelligence was perhaps never before seen issuing from one field of labour of similar dimensions. The men employed upon this great work, we understand, are all picked men of their several classes; and, from all we have heard, as well as what we have observed of their manner of executing their several tasks and of their general demeanour, we should say that a finer or more respectable body of working men was never brought together, and that their selection and management reflect great credit upon the contractors, Messrs. Kelk and Lucas. The point of view...is in the Cromwell-road front, from the grand central entrance to the picture-galleries...[and] affords our artist an opportunity of showing the row of houses on the opposite side of the road, exemplifying the restricted street space which surrounds the building on all its sides of approach'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.