Design for the Diploma Award for the International Fisheries Exhibition
Sambourne created this design for the Diploma Award for the International Exhibition of Fisheries held in South Kensington, London in 1883. Large scale exhibitions were incredibly popular in the late 19th century. Following the success of the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, cities across the world hosted similar events attracting international exhibitors in a wide variety of fields, from carriage-making to fine art. The International Fisheries Exhibition attracted an extraordinary 2.6 million visitors, with displays including an aquarium and a garden with sea-lions, beavers, and seals, as well as more technical exhibits of fishing machinery. An important part of these exhibitions were the prizes available to exhibitors, and Sambourne was commissioned to create the Diploma Card for the winners. Sambourne worked hard for nine months on this elaborate drawing, fitting it in with his regular work for Punch and other commissions for illustration. It gained many favourable comments from his peers and was later exhibited at the Royal Academy.
1883
Ink on paper
93.0 x 126.0cm
ST/P/108
Image and text © The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London.
Where you'll find this
Sambourne House
Permanent collection