Pleasant Dreams (1852). Henry Nelson O’Neil (1817-1880).
O’Neil (1817-1880) was a leading Victorian painter of historical scenes. He worked in a highly detailed and realistic style.
O’Neil studied art at the Royal Academy schools from 1836. He was a founder member of ‘The Clique’, a group of young artists who were dissatisfied with the restrictions of the Royal Academy and wanted to bring a new realism and emotional intensity to their work.