The Last Muster: Sunday at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea

This engraving (subtitled 'A sketch of part of the painting in the exhibition of the Royal Academy') picks out the two central figures in the congregation and blanks out the background. The old soldier on the right has passed peacefully away during the service and his neighbour noticing, has turned to feel his lifeless wrist. Strangely the painting itself was taken from a wood engraving Herkomer produced for the Graphic magazine in February 1871 which he translated onto canvas in 1875. Herkomer may himself have made this engraving: the initials HH are shown on the end of the bench. (1849 - 1914) (oil on canvas, 214.5 x 159cm) Lady Lever Art Gallery at Port Sunlight.