velvethatlady: Heise’s Am Panopticum posted by Gandalf…
Heise’s Am Panopticum posted by Gandalf intrigued me as I’d only come across the panopticon idea in the context of a design for prisons, workhouses and other institutions, dreamed up by Jeremy Bentham. The design ensured that the interiors of all the cells and exercise yards would be visible at all times from the central observation block, so inmates could never be sure whether or not they were being watched – thus guaranteeing their good behaviour. I don’t think – thankfully – that many truly panoptic institutions were actually built, but Millbank Prison seems a pretty good example. Constructed in the early nineteenth century, it was in use until 1890 and following its demolition Tate Britain was built on the site. Millbank in all its mist-bound horror is brought wonderfully to life by Sarah Waters in her spooky, gut-wrenching novel Affinity.
The Tate Britain houses Sargent’s Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. I had no idea the museum was built on the site of Millbank Prison.
Reposted from http://ift.tt/1hV6Goa.
