One of the joys of summer is treasured time spent with family, as daylight stretches long into the night. In the idealized painting “The Sinews of Old England,” English painter George Hicks portrayed the enduring qualities a man and woman need for a happy marriage and good family life.
“The Sinews of Old England,” 1857, by George Hicks. Watercolor, graphite, gouache, on paper; 29 1/2 inches by 20 7/8 inches. Friends of British Art Fund, Yale Center for British Art. (Public Domain)
In the painting, a young family stands outside their home. The man stands tall and confident, ready for a day’s labor to provide for his wife and toddler. His physical strength is shown by the heavy tools he’s slung over his shoulder, and more subtly, his strength of character is also shown by how he tenderly holds his wife close as she leans on his shoulder: He’s there to emotionally support his family….