The Departure (Second Class)

Lithograph, The Departure (Second Class), engraved by W H Simmons after the painting by Abraham Solomon titled Second Class, The Parting, Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor, about 1857. Depicts passengers in a second class railway carriage. A woman, dressed in widow’s clothes with a hood and bonnet covering her hair, is seated with her left arm around a boy sailor, clasping his right hand in hers. Facing them is a tearful young woman, holding a handkerchief to her face. There is a carpet bag and bundle of luggage on the seats alongside. Seated behind them are a bearded sailor, wearing an earring and straw hat, and a woman in a bonnet. On the wall of the carriage are advertisements for sea passages to Australia, gold digging equipment and emigrants’ outfits. Through the carriage window is a port with ships’ masts. Text at bottom left of image reads "A Solomon 185?" and beneath "Painted by A. Solomon, Engraved by W.H. Simmons". A circular seal impression at bottom left reads "Gambart & Co, London". Mounted on pasteboard.