William Etty had an afinity with children which is
apparent in his portrayal of this delightful family group: Emily Sarah,
Frederick William.and the elder daughter, Mary Ann. He has avoided the
cloying sentmentality indulged in by some artists of the time, and has caught the
burgeoning sexuality of the elder girl with a frankness which reminds us that
Etty devoted his life to painting what he declared to be the most glorious of
God's creations: Woman.
The Most up-to-date and comprehensive
assessment of the artist is to be found in
William Etty: the life and art,
by Leonard Robinson.
