Size 28" x 36"
Format Oil on Canvas
Signature Lower Right (Floorboards)
Frame Not known
History of the painting
| Date | Auctioneer | Lot | Offer Price | Sale Price |
| 29 Oct 2003 | Not known | Not known | Not known |
Other observations
Very few of Harry Brooker's paintings featured solely boys. This is only of
only three known and only one of two featuring five boys. "The Young Anglers
1887" is about three boys on a fishing trip and "The Captive 1893"
has a military theme like this painting and features five boys. It was far more
usual for Harry to include a girl to the edge of the main scene when painting
a scene about a primarily male activity. See both "On Parade", "Blind
Mans Buff 1898", "The Shipbuilders 1901" and "The Game of
Cricket 1904" as examples of this.
The straw boater hat was seen earlier in "Oranges and Lemons 1890" and quite a few other paintings painted around this time.
Oswald (now 12) is probably directing Edgar (now 11) to be brought forward for a hearing by Edwin (now aged 8) and another younger boy, probably not Charles. Another visitor to the house is present as a sentry in the background.
The small earthenware jug, hanging from the wall shelf, features in a number
of other paintings including "The Young Dressmakers 1983" however
note that in that painting it is not the jug hanging from the wall shelf but
standing on the top of the wardrobe!