Artwork

The Emigrants

The Emigrants, by William Allsworth, oil, 1844
The Emigrants, by William Allsworth, oil, 1844

The Emigrants is an oil painting by the Realist artist William Allsworth. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

About this work

Overview

The Emigrants, an 1844 oil painting by English Realist William Allsworth, portrays a Scottish family on the eve of their emigration to New Zealand.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the poignant moment of a Scottish family's preparation to leave for New Zealand, echoing the widespread themes of displacement and migration prevalent during the period.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the work exemplifies the Realist movement's emphasis on everyday life and social issues, though specific stylistic details of the painting are not highlighted in available information.

History & Provenance

Created in 1844, The Emigrants is now part of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa's collection. In 2016, it was conceptually engaged with through the addition of reflective elements to two of Allsworth's portraits by artist Paul Stephenson for the *Forced Collaboration* exhibition.

Context

The painting reflects the mid-19th century's significant migration patterns, particularly from Scotland to New Zealand, driven by economic and colonial factors.

Legacy

While The Emigrants contributes to the historical record of 19th-century migration, its broader artistic impact or influence on subsequent movements is not prominently documented in available sources.

Artist & collection

Artist

William Allsworth

William Allsworth (21 April 1811–10 January 1864) was an English painter. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. He is known for his 1844 painting The Emigrants which depicts a Scottish family preparing to emigrate to New…