Autumn

Frederick Sandys

Date: c. 1860 - 62

Materials: Oil on wood panel

Although he was living in London from 1851, Sandys made frequent return visits to Norwich, which is the setting for 'Autumn'. Differences of detail suggest that this is the preparatory study for the larger version at Norwich (Castle Museum).

Like Wallis's 'The Stonebreaker', this composition is full of symbolic detail: the twilight landscape is doubtless a complement to the old soldier's retirement from active service. The uniform identifies him as a veteran of the Sikh wars in India (1845-49), and it is possible that this is a portrait of Sgt. Charles Faux, with his wife Mary Ann and their three-year-old son Robert.