'Hullo Largesse', a Harvest Scene in Norfolk

William Maw Egley (London 1826 - London 1916). Oil painting on canvas, 'Hullo Largesse', a Harvest Scene in Norfolk by William Maw Egley (London 1826 - London 1916), 1860-1862. In a half-harvested field in the foreground, a gentry family stands on the left, watching the harvesters with joined and raised hands singing on the right, with the church tower behind them. A little peasant girl standing in front of the family holds out her right palm, whilst the younger daughter of the family, ears of corn in her left hand, reaches into a pocket for a coin with her right; large blue cloudy sky. The artist was staying with John Rose at Reedham Old Hall, Norfolk in 1860. Anyone staying at an East Anglian farm during the 19th century was traditionally obliged to give harvesters a present or 'largesse' which they acknowleged with the cry: ' Hullo Largesse'. Scotney Castle, Kent (Accredited Museum)