2-799-484 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Last of England, 1852-1855. This is a painting about emigration, the couple are departing for Australia. The subject itself - departure in desperate circumstances for a foreign land - has parallels with the biblical story of the Flight into Egypt. The artist himself posed for the painting, along with his partner Emma, and their children Cathy, the fair-haired girl in the background, and Oliver, the baby.