RICHARD AUGUSTUS CLACK (BRITISH, 1804-81), OIL ON CANVAS, 1856, H 24", W 20", CHILDREN WITH BUTTERFLY

An 1856 oil on canvas by Richard Augustus Clack. Depicting two children in a forest landscape; the boy is pointing towards a butterfly, symbolizing rebirth and immortality. Artist's signature and date to the lower left. Frame measures H 30" x L 24". An ancestor of the artist sent us an email which reads: "It is almost certainly the same picture that was exhibited at the Royal Academy summer exhibition in 1856 which was held in a wing of the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in London. The only slight uncertainty relates to the date of 1856 on the picture, which is quite difficult to read from your photographs."
Condition: As inspected under UV light, inpainting to the upper right and upper left quadrants, observable crackling to center right side edge, old crackling throughout, moderate toning to varnish, some edge wear to frame.