Skip to main content
Alternatively search all objects in our collectionAlternatively search our collection
  • Shop
  • Account
Visit What's on Objects & Stories Schools & Communities Join & Support
  • Visit
  • Visit London Museum Docklands
  • Free galleries
  • Families
  • Access
  • London Museum Opening 2026
  • About the project
  • About the buildings
  • About the architects
  • What's on
  • Find events
  • Fun for families
  • Group visits
  • Free galleries
  • Top things to see for free
  • Fun for under-8s
  • Objects & Stories
  • Search the collections
  • About our collections
  • What's in your borough?
  • Browse by time period
  • Explore London stories
  • Blog
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • Engagement Charter
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership Coming soon...
  • Corporate support
  • Legacy gifts
  • Our supporters
  • Home
  • Visit
    • Back
    • Visit
    • Visit London Museum Docklands
    • Free galleries
    • Families
    • Access
    • London Museum Opening 2026
    • About the project
    • About the buildings
    • About the architects
  • What's on
    • Back
    • What's on
    • Find events
    • Fun for families
    • Group visits
    • Free galleries
    • Top things to see for free
    • Fun for under-8s
  • Objects & Stories
    • Back
    • Objects & Stories
    • Search the collections
    • About our collections
    • What's in your borough?
    • Browse by time period
    • Explore London stories
    • Blog
  • Schools & Communities
    • Back
    • Schools & Communities
    • Schools
    • Schools sessions
    • Schools resources
    • Community engagement
    • Engagement Charter
  • Join & Support
    • Back
    • Join & Support
    • Donate
    • Membership Coming soon...
    • Corporate support
    • Legacy gifts
    • Our supporters
  • Shop
  • Account
  • Home
  • Objects & Stories

Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1987

The House of Commons

Improving our records

We're actively looking for ways to improve our object records, including using artificial intelligence to generate alt text for some object images. If you think we've made a mistake or have information about an object that you'd like to share, you can fill in the details below.

Our collections contain objects and information which some people may consider sensitive or offensive. Some of the text was written in past decades and reflects the language and social attitudes of the time. Find out more

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This print of a scene inside the House of Commons was one of a number of plates which were published in Chris Orr's 'The New Microcosm of London'.

Inspired by Rudolph Ackerman's 19th century publication 'The Microcosm of London', as well as by the 18th century satirical artist William Hogarth, Orr set out to make a visual record of contemporary London through the medium of printmaking.

The subject of this plate is Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons. A Labour backbencher has just quoted from 'The Guardian' and thrown a rolled-up copy of the paper across the chamber. It passes close to the Conservative Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and its flight is traced with a black dotted line.

Born in Islington and raised in south London, Orr studied at Ravensbourne and Hornsey Colleges of Art. Later he attended the Royal College of Art. He was appointed Professor of Printmaking at the RCA in 1998. He began making prints in his twenties and has described 'the role of the artist as a voyeur and a viewer.'

Category:
Paintings, Prints & Drawings
Object ID:
86.375/3
Object name:
The House of Commons
Object type:

print, etching & aquatint

Artist/Maker:
Orr, Chris, Leese, Jerry
Related people:

Related events:

Related places:

Production date:
1987
Material:

card, paper, ink

Measurements/duration:
H 419 mm, W 621 mm (print, paper), H 420 mm, W 315 mm (booklet, folded), H 420 mm, W 627 mm (booklet, unfolded)
Part of:
—
On display:
—
Record quality:
100%
Part of this object:
—
Owner Status & Credit:

Permanent collection

Copyright holder:

Orr, Chris

Image credit:

© Chris Orr RA

Creative commons usage:
—
License this image:

To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.

Tags

Paintings, Prints & Drawings 20th century London Publishing & Media Politics & Society City of Westminster
  • London Museum

    London Museum

    Smithfield
    London EC1A 9PS

    Opening 2026
  • London Museum Docklands

    London Museum Docklands

    No. 1 Warehouse
    West India Quay
    London E14 4AL
    Tube & DLR: Canary Wharf
    or West India Quay

    Monday to Sunday:
    10am – 5pm
    Free entry

  • London Museum Stores

    London Museum Stores

    46 Eagle Wharf Road
    London N1 7ED

    Currently closed to the public

  • London Museum Spaces

    London Museum Spaces

    150 London Wall
    London EC2Y 5HN

    Open for venue hire only

Subscribe and get email updates:

Subscribe

Share your London experiences with us:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Visit
  • London Museum
  • London Museum Docklands
  • Families
  • Plan your visit
  • Ticketing info
  • Access
  • What's on
  • Free galleries
  • Group visits
  • Objects & Stories
  • About our collections
  • What we collect
  • Collections access & enquiries
  • Managing our collections
  • Improving our collections
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • About
  • Our locations
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Supporting London Museums
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Corporate support
  • London stories
  • Blog
  • Browse by borough
  • Browse by time period
  • Commercial
  • Venue hire
  • Picture Library
  • Location filming & photography
  • Visit
  • London Museum
  • London Museum Docklands
  • Families
  • Plan your visit
  • Ticketing info
  • Access
  • What's on
  • Free galleries
  • Group visits
  • Objects & Stories
  • About our collections
  • What we collect
  • Collections access & enquiries
  • Managing our collections
  • Improving our collections
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • About
  • Our locations
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Supporting London Museums
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Corporate support
  • London stories
  • Blog
  • Browse by borough
  • Browse by time period
  • Commercial
  • Venue hire
  • Picture Library
  • Location filming & photography
City of London logo Supported by Mayor of London logo Supported using public funding by Arts Council England logo
Bloomberg Philanthropies

The London Museum website was developed with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture.

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Website accessibility policy
Museum of London registered charity number 1139250