Old Schoolfellows, from "Illustrated London News"
A man confined to bed in humble surroundings gratefully embraces a visitor whom, the title indicates, he has known since childhood. Rankley's related painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1855 with a quote from Proverbs (17.17) in the catalogue "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." This suggests that the well-to-do visitor has responded to his friend's plight with concrete generosity, and close inspection of the image reveals a bank note offered in his left hand.
Artwork Details
- Title: Old Schoolfellows, from "Illustrated London News"
- Series/Portfolio: Illustrated London News
- Engraver: Harvey Orrin Smith (British, active 1847–70)
- Artist: After Alfred Rankley (British, 1819–1872 London)
- Date: July 7, 1855
- Medium: Wood engraving
- Dimensions: Image: 8 9/16 × 6 5/16 in. (21.7 × 16.1 cm)
Sheet: 9 1/8 × 6 7/8 in. (23.1 × 17.4 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.653.34
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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