Dickens and London
This exhibition took place between 9 December 2011 and 10 June 2012 and has now closed.
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in the first major UK exhibition for over 40 years.
"The best celebration of Dickens' legacy." ***** The Independent
"The Museum of London’s new exhibition will enthrall." londonist.com
"Great work by the Museum of London on their Dickens and London show. Fine festive value, well researched. A first rater." @mikeexon
Recreating the atmosphere of Victorian London through sound and projections, you'll be taken on a haunting journey to discover the city that inspired his writings.
Paintings, photographs, costume and objects illustrate themes that Dickens wove into his works, while rarely seen manuscripts including Bleak House and David Copperfield – written in the author’s own hand – offer clues to his creative genius.
During your visit you'll discover how Dickens' childhood experiences of London, working in a blacking factory while his father was locked away in a debtor's prison, were introduced into the stories he wrote. The great social questions of the 19th century, including wealth and poverty, prostitution, childhood mortality and philanthropy, are also examined, all of which set the scene for Dickens' greatest works.
Highlights of the exhibition include an audio-visual experience bringing to life the famous painting of Dickens' Dream at the desk and chair where he wrote his novels, and a specially commissioned film by one of the UK’s leading documentary filmmakers, William Raban, which explores the similarities between London after dark today and the night time city described by Dickens over 150 years ago.
Read more in our exhibition leaflet available online via Scribd here (external link) or plan your visit with our exhibition guide also available via Scribd here (external link).
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