An impoverished man in a scalpeen 1849
The scalpeen in which this destitute man cowers is a makeshift refuge from a former home that has been rendered inhabitable. The roof has been destroyed but the man has tried to salvage some shelter using the existing walls. Even this form of refuge was insecure and he is afraid of being hunted down and evicted once more. This was common in Ireland during the years of the potato famine and the evictions in the middle of the 19th century
Picture No
10220189
Media ID
45987751
Size
4340px x 4016px
(5.7MB)
Credit
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Source
Engraving in The Illustrated London News', 15 December 1849, page 393
Date
1849





























