Frederick Cayley Robinson A.R.A., R.W.S.

The Fine Art Society, London
Acquired from the above, 1985

London, The Fine Art Society, The Arts & Crafts Movement, 1973, no. P98
London, The Fine Art Society, The earthly paradise: F. Cayley Robinson and the painters of the Birmingham Group, July 5-August 9, 1975, no. 3
London, The Fine Art Society, Frederick Cayley Robinson, A.R.A., 1862-1927, October 18-November 11, 1977, no. 13

There are four small spots of discoloration in the upper left and right corners, corresponding to variation in the support panel.
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The present work is a smaller version or study for the artist's Dawn; the Little Child Found of 1907 and exhibited at the Royal Academy, London in 1928.  As is characteristic of Robinson's work, this strange and beautiful composition holds little direct clues to its subject.  Perhaps after a long battle conquering Roman soldiers have returned the child to its parents. The artist's use of tempera points to his association with the Birmingham Group of artists, guided by the tenants of William Morris, John Ruskin, and the Arts and Crafts movement.  As the present work indicates, Robinson was inspired by diverse art sources including the work of PIerre Puvis de Chavannes, Edward Burne-Jones, and Fra Angelico.