Join us here to explore Claude de Jonghe’s painting “Old London Bridge”.
First work through the PowerPoint. If you can, discuss the questions and tasks with someone else that would be great: brother, sisters, parents. If not, just read through the PPT and make some notes.
Share your ideas below. Also share your persuasive writing. You can also share art. I’ll share more information about the painting as the week goes on so come back everyday.
” You should live on the left side because the right side is poor and the bridge – what if you fall in ? ”
very nice james
The houses look very well done and you can really see the skill and effort from painting each one. It really lets your imagination go wild. I think that it is a very friendly place.
I agree
You should live on the left side because there are many houses and the neighbourhood looks more friendly then on the right.
I would live on the left because its rich and you could do more stuff
I agree with you because I don’t think I would prefer poor people’s side I would want to go to the rich people’s side
very smart james
I think you should live on the right side of the river because there are lots of houses and lots of boats to cross the river.The left side looks more poor and there are dirty allyways and I saw a dead body in one of the allyways which is a bit disgusting.
Really good I like it
i think you should defintly live on the left side of london because its more peace full and calm but then the right side is very caoutic and angery.espeshily if you have any todlers or babys and normal kids like 6 to 17 yea like that .i think the left side is way more better than the outher side because this side the left is more frendly and kind and your kidsw are right now loving it they thik its amazing and its like there dream to be on this side.now the outher side is much more worse because there really dirty like serisly there never clean. they dont were any clean clothes there always rude to ech outher there never friendly or kind.there really meane and they alway,s wish to kill ech outher even the kids .
and thats why i think the left side is better cause
we all now are having a great time.
I think that it’s better on the right side of Thames because It is less unlikely to get your head to be cut of and it’s richer place for people to live in.people live therefore less smelly. it’s also got Shakespeare’s theatre and on that side it’s more clean
I think you should live on the left side of the River Thames because we have bigger houses for larger families, local and larger supermarkets and big fresh green playing fields. For Example, the local shops are: a butchers, a fish monger, a coffee shop, a chemist,a cinema, hairdressers, bars and restaurants. If you have children or babies, you can bring them to any local school or nursery were they will be cared for and fed. We also have good underground and bus links into central London.
That’s interesting Emma. Are you talking about today? Do you think south and north London are very different at present? Or were they more different in the past?
Yes, I’m talking about the present day and I’m not sure if north and south London were very different. Do you know???
Hi Emma,
Yes they were very different in 1600. The north of the river was the richer area whereas south of the river was poorer.
I think the best side of the bridge is the one on the left. I have lots of different reasons but let me start with one. The right side of the bridge is the North which is cold. Not like the left which is warm.
Thank you Ruby. What other reasons are there to prefer the left side of the bridge?
I would rather live on the right side this is because there are many theatres and this would be helpful for entertainment if you get bored. Although the left side is the richer side I would prefer to live on the right side because I would live in a small cottage.
Thank you Indika. Do you know what theatres were on the left hand side?
You should live in London because it would be fun since they were rich and wealthy.It was quite horrible because of the heads on spikes
If you lived in Southwark you would be poor and might not have a home
Hi Sylvie,
Do you know why they put heads on spikes?
i think that it would be better to live on the left side, as you could buy things and live in a house of good quality .Also it has more money for the community so if you needed help it would be easy to get some.
Thank you Laurel. Do you know what side of the bridge Yerbury is?
Probably right
If i was you i would live on the north side of the river because it has lots of beautiful parks and has amazing sun sets.It also has some astonishing sky scrapers which are very big tourist attraction. So i would definitely live on the north side of the river.
Hi Charlie,
What about when the painting was created? What side would you want to live on then?
If I was you I would live near the glamourous river because of the beautiful ,cosy cottages
. There are also some rather big buildings and wherever you live there is a lovely cummunity you should definetly live here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Louis,
Can you create an advert to persuade someone to live on your side?
I think that people should live on the right side of the bridge because there is more
houses and there is lots more space to walk around and run around around
than to the left of the bridge .So definitely choose the right side of the bridge
I think you should choose to live on the right side of the bridge because you are far away from possibly getting your head chopped off and boiled to stop the rotting and then displayed on the spikes
I,m happy that i,m on the peaceful side and not the hectic side of the Thames my side is nice grateful amazing,powerful,kind ,and just the best place ever.one morning there was a boat sailing across the Thames people where saying what are those big clothes on the boat the man was sailing .some people said i heard he,s carrying people under those clothes.and it was sailing across to the bad side of London we could not believe it this was very unusual to see this .normally its OK but a bit shouted on are side and there side because we where all really shocked about this. the end
I think the right side looks more freindly and lighter in the sky also there are theaters and
shops. the other side looks more dark and less freindly.
I think the right side looks more friendly and lighter in the sky. Also there are theatres and shops. The other side looks more dark and less friendly.The right side looks poorer
but it has a better community and kinder people.
I think the right side is better because there are kinder people and more shops and theatres. There looks to be a better community, they might help each other out more. Whether the left side could be more selfish and might only care about themselves. Also there is a nicer light on the right side.The left side looks more dark and gloomy.
That’s an interesting way to think about it Melina. As you suggest kindness and how we treat each other is more important than wealth.
i think i would live on the left side because it looks more formal and is better .it also looks like a small town like a village but the right side looks like it has spikes which could be dangerous because it looks like it is at the top which is even worse because you could fall off the tower but you wouldn’t fall in the water you will fall in another layer so i pick left
When I think of London, I picture the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard, black cabs, red buses, pollution, red post boxes and Tower bridge. Tower Bridge and Big Ben were constructed in 1800s. I believe that pollution is the only thing that was present 400 years ago.
On the left side of the painting, there are large houses made out of wood and stones, the glittering river Thames, and the long stone bridge with 18 arches. A golden barge carries a large case covered in a velvet red fabric.
On the right side of the painting, one can see shabby wooden houses, the Thames and the narrow bridge with very few people on it. Can you spot the spikes with heads of criminals on the top of the tall house?
Come and live on the left side of the bridge. This affluent area is spacious and well located, near many theaters. Our houses are more solid and cleaner because they are made of stones.
Wonderful description Lucas. I like your list of what you can see in London today.
If I were you, I would live on the left side of the bridge because there are taller and bigger houses and that might mean they are apartments or just normal houses where larger families are living in. Also, who wouldn’t love an amazing view of the Tower of London? The right side is surrounded by walls and fences while the left is more open. The left side is more populated so you could find more friends, schools, jobs and shops.
Thank you Olivia. I like your use of a question to involve the reader.
I think I would live on the left side because it looks like a small town and is more formal . But the right side is not formal .The right side has weird spike things at the top of the tower and it is dangerous cause there is more of the tower underneath because it is a big tower which is kind of good . But i still pick the left side. By the way, i di this again because this way i did it was better [I think]
I think you should live on the right side because it has nice scenery and is less expensive. It also has lots of places to explore like dark, wet, gloomy tunnels which are extremely exciting and lots of other places to play for kids. It was very entertaining and had lots of beaches with ladders and there’s one in particular that has an adventurous ladder and socialism. It is a very nice place to live and very friendly and happy. It is also more colorful and welcoming than the other side of the river.
Thank you Paddy. Some of the tunnels you can see are for the beer that was delivered to the taverns.
i think you should live on the right side of the bridge because you never know if you could die on the spikes,and that would hurt a lot.
Hi Muhammad,
Do you know why the heads are on the spikes?
no can you tell me please
Hi Muhammad,
The heads on the spikes are criminals. They serve as a warning to people visiting London to behave.
ok thank you for telling me i learnt alot
You’re very welcome Muhammad. Thank you for posting on the blog.
You should come and visit or live In the left side of the river Thames because it is richer. The houses are better and we have more money.
We have nice boats to go across the river to the theatres in southwark.
I think people should live in my village because it has beautiful views and lovely houses. Why would you not want to live here? and because you have to pay 10000 coin you get an all you can eat buffet and free maide that is why it is the best place in the world.
I have attached my reflections drawing too
Congratulations Eva on being the first person to share a piece of art. It is wonderful. I’ll ask the Kenwood House staff to comment on your drawing.
Hello Eva,
What a wonderful drawing! Excellent use of shadow in the water; the taller buildings have longer shadows and the smaller buildings have smaller shadows.
(I also like the person with the top hat taking a stroll on the bridge! )
Kind regards,
Lucie
Kenwood House – Education Team
You should come and visit or live on the left side of the River Thames because we have better houses and more money.
We have nice boats to cross the river to Southwark to get to the theatres.
i would rather live on the right side because its is more small and cosy and it is a cottige and the left side is more richer so that is why.
Thank you Lily-Mae. Can you see any danger living in the wooden houses?
You should come and visit or live on the left side of the River Thames because we have better houses and more money.
We have nice boats to cross the river to go to the theatres in Southwark.
I would live on the left side of the bridge because it is richer and less dirty and if a building breaks, the town would be rich enough to fix the issue. And you could always take a boat to go to the other side to see a play. I would recommend seeing Christopher Marlows plays,or go to the Globe to see Shakespeare, I hear his plays are good.
Thank you Thomas. I’m very impressed you know Christopher Marlowe. Do you know any of his plays?
I know he is famous and some people reckon that he did the plays of William Shakespeare but nobody knows for sure.
That’s right. It’s not always clear who wrote different plays as they would collaborate. Marlowe wrote some famous plays of his own including Faustus.
I think you should live on the left side because it looks like a rich place. There are a lot of boats, tall buildings made of bricks and the houses look like they have been painted golden.
The buildings on the right side look like they have been built from wood also it looks extremely poor and it looks lonely.
Lovely description Valery. Thank you.
I think you should live on the left side because it looks like rich place. There a lot of boats tall buildings made of bricks and the houses look like they have been painted golden.The buildings on the right look like they have been built from wood also it looks extremely poor and it looks lonely.
I recommend you come and live on the left side of the bridge. I believe this side is wealthier as well as bigger houses and probably more jobs which allows you to earn more money. Don’t you agree with me?
i like the bridge because i think that you can go on both sides,so you can go to see the theata and pay for expensive stuff.[witch i wouldent whant to do.]
I think that you should live on the left side of the bridge . It is the city of London , so you will be more wealthy and you will probably be more healthy than if you lived in southwark on the other side . Although if you commit a crime then you may find your head chopped off and on a spike as a warning to other criminals .So I would recommend not committing any crimes . It is an absolutely amazing view ! Also you cannot cross the river if the river freezes ,so it is better to be on the better side .We have lots of beautiful cathedrals ! Why would you live anywhere else?
I associate London with The Shard, Big Ben, The London Eye and The Gherkin and I think Big Ben is the only one of those that would have been there 400 years ago. I just looked it up and discovered I was wrong and it was actually built 177 years ago.I can see that the buildings are taller on the left side. I also noticed that there are much less buildings on the bridge and that it looks like people are coming towards the left side.People should stay on the left side . I think this because the buildings are bigger.That house is very narrow and it looks like it has been squished against the house next to it. I think the boat is either carrying a royal or a dead animal. I think it might be someone rich’s body because it looks like a posh sheet.I think people should stay on the left side because it is bigger, more comfortable and less dirty.
Hi Marley,
It’s great to see you undertaking your own research and clarifying when Big Ben was built.
I think you should live on the right side of the bridge because even though we’re poor at least we can breathe fresh air you have to breathe fumes!
When was the last time you watched a play? We can watch plays at the theatre all the time!
Thank you Alexander. You’re right to point out pollution. What type of fumes do you think people experience in that time?
coal?
I think it is a very mysterious painting like what is in the boat who lives in the houses or are they even factory’s.It looks like a abandoned city that is being rediscovered by men and women who just wanted money and only cared about themselves.I think that it is very good how he did the creases in the carpet on the boat.I am interested in the tunnel
under the hill maybe it was a gold mine or a secret passageway leading to a secret house.
l am wondering how on earth he did the reflections so well.I wonder how he got the reflection to be exactly the same as the building.
Hi Reuben,
Yes, can you guess what was on the boat? If you look at the PowerPoint there are some clues.
There are arguments for and against living on the left and the right side of the Old Bridge.
On the left side, it appears more affluent with larger grand buildings you can buy anything you want. But the people are less friendly and far too busy to talk to you!
On the right side however, you have the bustling streets with the hubbub of street traders, children playing with each and theatre shows to keep you entertained! But it looks a little dirty.
But my heart is bouncing towards the right side because I would have lots more to do to keep me entertained and happy.
Thank you Fadil. That’s a very balanced account of the advantages and disadvantages.
I think the left side is better because it is less busy and and it is less smoky and maby if you are good you wont get your haed chopped of
good power point
Thank you Iois. Glad you enjoyed it.
the left side is better it is not ass busy and you wont get your head chopped of and it is less smoky and if you are lucky you will not see heads on spikes
good powerpoint
LONDON WAS HORID BACH THEN
🙂
I think you should live on the right side because you don’t have to cross the really narrow bridge to see Shakespeare’s plays at the globe. Even though the village on the right or the poorer it means houses are probably cheaper! The houses are very pretty and you could swim in the river everyday. You could even ice skate in the winter when the water freezes!!!
I think you should live on the left because the right side is poorer, so it won’t be as pleasant: what if you get your head on a spike? The big houses on the left are clean and tidy with lots of space. Shame you couldn’t see Shakespeare.
Thank you Emilia. You could take a boat across the Thames to visit the theatre.
Good idea, thank you. I will add to my selling speech
Thank you Emilia. We look forward to reading it.
Thank you for posting Emilia (I have to say I agree). What was your favourite part of the painting? (Kate, willow teacher)
I love all the detail with the boats and ships sailing under the bridge. The reflection on the water seemed so realistic that at first I thought it might be a photo.
Hi Emilia,
Yes it is remarkable and looks life like as you say. Perhaps you could try your own reflection drawing and share it with us. See the slides explaining how you do it.
I think living on the right side of the bridge is better because it looks better made even
though on the left side is more rich.It also looks much more happier, cosy and friendly.
There is also grass and the left just has concrete and looks gloomy.On the right there
are cottages and the left there are house but they look a bit like prisons because they
are all black, with heads on spikes.With sharp pointy turrets as well !
Yes Afra they would behead criminals and place their heads on spikes as a warning to others.
I liked the London Bridge
I would live on the left side because it looks generally nicer than the right and I could just sail too the right side and watch a play . Also it looks richer than the right side and more friendly . I think I could live a better and more glamorous life on the left rather than the right.
A strong argument, thank you Arun. Remember you don’t need to enter an email address.
I agree
I would prefer to live on the left side of the river because it looks more friendly and wealthy than the right side which looks more shabby and unfriendly.
I would prefer to live on the left side because it looks more friendly and wealthy than the right side which looks shabby and unfriendly.
I think you should live on the right side because you will have more friends and it has less pollution, less noise and it is brighter.
I agree Lois.
I think you should live on the left side because, it is a lot richer on the left side, and, there is more people so you would be less lonely, and on the right side of London, there is heads on spikes on houses, and it is really poor.
I think you should live on the left side the left side looks more friendly and rich but the right side looks more poor and always sad .
In my opinion I think you you should live on the left side of the bridge because the houses look better. They have a tall Tudor building with flowers hanging down.
I think i would live on the left side because it is more exiting and more better than
the right. And the right is more for poor people because there is a theatre on the left
i think the left side cause it looks better and more formal to live on.
Come and live in the city of London on the left side! They have better health and wellbeing! They have good houses that are made of bricks and they have no criminals unlike the south side of London. The streets are cleaner and smarter. So if I were you I would definitely move to the city of London! What do you think?!?!?!?!?
I like your opening line Rowan. Very powerful.
I think you should live on the right side because it is rich and nice. The other side is really
poor and rood .
I think the left side looks better.
i think the left side now because it looks much friendly then the over town and the houses are not made out of wood because if your house was made out of wood and it was raining it would sink throw into your house.
I think the left side because because you can make more friends. Houses are not made of wood.I think the right side is disgusting because they put criminals head’s on spikes as a warning.
I think you should live on the left side because you can make more friends and there are more houses.
I think you should live on the left side because it is richer area .You can choose from lots of houses to live in. You can choose from lots of jobs because the left side has more land and more buildings.The left side also has high walls from the River Thames and there are lots of boats for travelling.On the left side there are tall buildings which have lots of plants.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Feliks.
I would rather live in the right side because in the left side it looks more dark and gloomy and it might not be friendly.
we live on the left side of the bridge right now and I like it so as I already said the left side is the better side for me
Come to live on the left side !!!
Lots of fun and a nice environment !!!
This side of the bridge is way better than the gloomy ,dark right side !!!
Your ticket to paradise awaits !!!
Come now !!!
Hey people
Here’s a brochure for life on the left side.
Many thanks Max. This is fantastic and you can see you put a lot of effort into it. We look forward to you sharing more of your work with us.
Fantastic work, Max!
I think you should move to the right side if you live on the left. The houses are cheaper (and some are larger too) and if you were an affluent noble (or had plenty saved up) you would easily get a house. Move to the right and you can easily watch plays. Your view won’t be too disturbed by buildings like Parliament. You won’t be woken up to the sound of riots about the government. And, best of all, you get the Frost Fair!
Fantastic work Electra. Thank you for sharing your work with us. We look forward to seeing more.
I think you should live on the left side because it looks like it’s safer on that side
And it looks more wealthy than the right side.
I think you should live on the left side because it looks rich and you can have a warm house.
I think you should live on the left side because it looks like a wonderful place to live.
live on the left side because it lookes more nicer and welfer
live on the left because it is more welfier and it lookes more ice
I would live on the left side because you are less likely to die because they have more money to buy the medicine from apothecary. You would have fewer rats and diseases.
I think of Big Ben, the London Eye and the Shard from the present. If I was there 400
years ago I’d rather live on the right side because is poorer and more need for Art and Art makes people cooperate with each other and inspires more people to be caring and
friendly. On the left side, It is richer but people are more selfish about money and buildings and there are criminals in disguise who might hide their tracks with money.
But on the right side, since people know each other there will be less crime. So come live in my neighbourhood because we have winter fares, lots of art, theatre and socialising,
We are a happy bunch(despite the heads on the spikes but don’t worry but if you are a
criminal you will find yourself on the spike).
Who wants to live on the left with large buildings and lots of money but no Art and fun?
Hi Eedris,
This is a wonderful persuasive piece of writing and also thank you for the fabulous art. It’s lovely to see a pupil put so much effort into their work .
I think you should live on the right side because it looks more welfy
And the right Sid looks more poor and not safe.
I think you should live on the left side because the weather looks warm and it looks like there could be some kind people
The left side is better because it looks more safe and happy.
i think you should live on the left side because it looks more fun
I would want to live on the left side because the right side is poor -and the bridge? What if you fall in?
The exclusive history of London Bridge
Did you know that the London bridge has three main places on the left? I think that rich people should stay on the right side because it has a lot of gold. But on the left, it looks very black and black is not a really nice color.
the left side because its safe to go on
I think the left side is safe to go on