Halcyon Days

Arthur Boyd Houghton (1836-1875)

Oil on board

c. 1860-61

12 x 10 inches

Signed with initials lower left

The sitter was probably the artist's elder brother, Captain William Robert Houghton, later Lieut. General of the Indian Army. The picture was painted before the artist's marriage, and is one of the first family subjects to be exhibited. The picture was probably painted between 1860-61 at his parents' home, where he himself was living, 7 Clifton Road, now Clifton Hill, St.John's Wood, while Captain Houghton was on leave from India. The identity of the girl on his knee is unknown. — Anthea Brooke