'Second Class - The Parting', 1855.

Oil painting by Abraham Solomon. Solomon had already built up a reputation as an artist when, in 1854, he turned to railway travel as a subject for his work. His first railway-related painting was 'First Class - The Meeting' (two versions in 1854 and 1855), closely followed by 'Second Class - The Parting'. Here, a young boy is shown being comforted by his mother while a relative looks on. The text of the posters in the background imply that he is either joining the merchant navy or emigrating to Australia.