Leaving home, Ford Madox Brown's The Last of England

Ford Madox Brown, The Last of England, 1855, oil on panel, 82.5 x 75 cm (Birmingham Museums Trust)
A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris.

[@dumoulin11]

His use of colour is incredible and that composition is just so clever.

[@janeknight3597]

I had not realised the child was there - I have only seen small scale reproduction. This is really comprehensive analysis. Thank you.

[@jake2963]

Thank you for this excellent video.

[@CaliWeHo]

I ❤ the saturated colors.

[@rruusseell9948]

Just fantastic. Thank you.

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

Well You Hit it out of the ballpark again for me…..honestly I may have strolled by this picture too easily …….and now I am bowled over by the ability You share to “read” this portrait…..just a MASTER CLASS in aligning the historic aspects with the minute details that make this as one comment said “A Master Piece”

[@Sasha0927]

You can glance at this and immediately tell that the artist is talented, but I so appreciated the close-up views allowing me to see the incredible detail on this piece. Look at the neat, tiny squares on her cloak that must've required stroke after stroke of his brush! And how did he achieve the scratchy effect of her husband's jacket? So many tiny lines must've taken forever... I feel like the pair represent the two approaches you can have toward uncertainty, change, and difficulty: his face (and outfit) are darkened, his heart is probably hard. I see anger masking fear, maybe determination. But her face is illuminated and she has a more neutral expression - maybe hope, openness to what may come. The winds of change blow her ribbons and she faces it defiantly, with a quiet dignity, poise, and grace. I'm more like him now, but see myself gradually evolving to be more like her. ❤

[@debrabarnhardt1103]

As true today as it was when it was created. For me, that is what makes this not art, but great art.

[@magicknight13]

I'll be honest, I came because of her bright pink vibrant accessory, but through Smarthistory's explanation and analysis of detail I ended up enjoying so much more!

[@terrayjos]

this made me think about my great-grandparents and what it would have been like getting on the boat and leaving home forever.

[@josephmessner5312]

I did not know this painting and it’s intense !!

[@CaliWeHo]

It certainly is. 😉

[@steveschmitz2839]

WOW!! never heard of this great artist, thanks so much. Love this channel

[@gabialbrecht1]

Stunning

[@orlando1a1]

Ford Madox Brown's painting simultaneously conveys a sad poignancy of loss, yet heralds a sense of hope, however forlorn the reality may appear to be for the central figures in his painting: The Last of England. Within the context of this painting, Madox Brown embodies his own despair with the then state of the country, and his own desire to seek a better life for his family. This is evident in the photographic sense of composition, detail and care in which Madox Brown has brought to this wonderfully evocative painting. It is a remarkable painting from a great artist.

[@thomashverring9484]

That was insanely interesting! Thank you :^)

[@poppintomfof]

It may be a product but it perfectly captures the averaged roles of women and men. Creating it in a "patriarchal key" doesn't detract from the show's credibility, it's quite the opposite.

[@stuartwray6175]

Nicola White Mudlark - the day the mighty Thames gave me an incredible and impossible find (7:30). See a mid 19th century pipe unearthed intact by the Thames.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

What fun: here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJmmcnRticuinK8

[@kiwikakashi]

Interesting that his grandson would become quite an accomplished writer focused on England's downfall