The Leonardo Hands of Girl Convicts, Newcastle Prison, 1871.

JF Ptak Science Books     Post 1538     [Original source photos from Retronaut.]

Undoubtedly the Industrial Revolution passed many by in Newcastle upon Tyne, a metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England.  Its an ancient place, and at one time enjoyed a high Victorian economic mission for production and shipping.  And just as in any time, many were left behind by progress.  These are photographs--mug shots--of children arrested and convicted of petty crimes, sent packing to Newcastle Prison, in 1871.   It seems to me that their hands could do little mischief, their crimes coming I suspect from hunger or need.  

The hands of Mary Catherine Docherty, serving seven days hard labor for the theft of  iron.  Age:  14.

These hands belonged to Ann Burns, serving 1 month,  convicted of stealing a waistcoat. Age:  18.

The hands of Jane Farrell, serving ten days hard labor for the theft of two boots.  Age:  12.

The hands of Catherine Kelly, sentenced to three months in prison for the theft of bed linens.  Age:  17.

 
The hands of Ellen Woodman, sentenced to seven days of hard labor for stealing iron.  Age:  11

Alice Mullholland, sentenced to three months in Newcastle prison for the theft of boots.  Age:  18.

I suspect that these girls were told to hold their hands together to steady their body for the long exposure by the camera--or perhaps they were just told to hold onto anything, like the chair, or their clothing, or whatever.  These girls chose to hold their own hands, each one of them a Mona Lisa.  The emotions of these young people seem staggering to me, their bodies communicating the realization of the very hard and impossible end to minor crimes committed as a function of desperation.