Seated in the railway carriage the young man is about to emigrate and is being farewelled by his mother and sister. The railway system had expanded, creating a network across England enabling all classes of people to travel cheaply for the first time. Generally children emigrated with their families however some boys were sent to the colonies to work as shepherds for the squatters.
Abraham Solomon
England 1823–1862
Second class – The parting: 'Thus part we rich in sorrow parting poor' 1854
oil on canvas
69.4 x 96.6 cm
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Purchased, 1981