Who painted The Last Day in the Old Home?

The Last Day in the Old Home was painted by Robert Braithwaite Martineau in 1862.

Where can I see The Last Day in the Old Home?

The Last Day in the Old Home is held by Tate.

What movement is The Last Day in the Old Home?

The Last Day in the Old Home is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

The Last Day in the Old Home

Robert Braithwaite Martineau , 1862

The Last Day in the Old Home is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Robert Braithwaite Martineau. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Tate.

About this work

Overview

The Last Day in the Old Home is an oil-on-canvas painting created by Robert Braithwaite Martineau in 1862. It measures 107.3 cm by 144.8 cm and depicts a poignant scene of a family's decline.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows the Pulleyne family in their ancestral home, Hardham Court, on the day of an auction sale. The family's financial downfall is hinted at through various details, including a Christie's catalogue and an equine print referencing the father's gambling.

Technique & Style

Martineau's work is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, evident in the rendering of the family's clothing, furniture, and the room's decorations. The interior is modelled after Godinton House in Kent, lending an air of authenticity to the scene.

History & Provenance

The painting was exhibited at the British Institution. The figures are likely modelled after real individuals, with Sir Charles Pulleyne resembling Colonel John Leslie Toke, a friend of Martineau's.