2-982-502 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"La Culla" - painted by Williams - one of the prize pictures of the Glasgow Art Union, 1858. 'We have here a pleasing domestic picture, probably sketched from nature, and painted with all the warmth of colour appropriate to the sunny South. "La Culla" (the cradle) contains the first-born of the young mother, who sits beside it on a doorstep knitting thick worsted hose for paterfamilias, who is away from home toiling for home's sake. A faithful dog looks on, apparently quite contented with his lot, which, though humble and spare and frugal, he would not exchange for that of "his Highness's dog at Kew." The ample dilapidated doorway in which the little group is placed tells of the grandeur of mediaeval Italy-now for a time departed from her, but living still in the aspirations of her sons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.