The Vacant Cradle
Little is known of this genre and historical painter who exhibited work at London's Royal Academy between 1854-1867. The sentimental quality of many Victorian pictures of death comes from the artists' representation of sorrow in pitiable contrast to past joy. Death in Victorian art is commonly given a domestic setting as here, in The Vacant Cradle, a poignant reminder of the high infant mortality rate in 19th century England. The precise rendering of detail asks for careful reading. The torn raffia, cracked panes of window glass and sparse furnishings speak of poverty, and the medicine bottles, mourning clothes and gruel dish tell of illness and death. The husband gazes out at the churchyard where his child now lies; the rattle is destined to hang unused on the wall. The sun sets but as it does it illuminates the church spire (placed above the Bible) as a reminder of spiritual hope in earthly loss.
