Spring, Picadilly (1887)

Edward Wilkinson’s Spring, Picadilly (1887) is displayed at Newcastle’s Laing gallery. It shows two sets of characters, one group on the left, the other on the right. The former are poor, and spend their days selling flowers to those with cash to spare. Their clothes are shabby, and one boy looks bored, as though customers are too few, or this is not the life he would have preferred.

The latter shows a well-dressed woman walking a child. Rather more middle class than the others, her black dress and veil suggest widowhood. The former look upon her with envy: class, money and freedom. Perhaps she looks upon them with an equally envious eye: they have not her grief.

One woman offers her a flower, but she moved the child on, reluctant to allow the posy to interrupt her sorrow. Yet a flower might bring her some of the joy she needs; the twopence exchanged for it would certainly bring some relief for the poor woman who sells it. Both women possess some measure of comfort for the other, but neither shall receive it.

Be blessed by others, and bless them in return.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-32, New King James Version