William Maw Egley (1826-1916)

This is an oil sketch for Egley's Royal Academy exhibit of 1862 (no. 514), "Hullo Largess!" A Harvest Scene in Norfolk', Scotney Castle, Kent, and illustrated in Christopher Wood, Paradise Lost - Paintings of English Country Life and Landscape 1850-1914 (1988), p. 79, plate 68.

Egley was a friend of William Powell Frith and shared his fascination for scenes of contemporary life. His paintings from this period, 1855 to 1862, are regarded as his best and are the most sought after. After this, Egley turned to painting 18th Century costume and historical pieces in the manner of Marcus Stone. His extensive diaries are held by the Victoria & Albert Museum.