Thomas Brooks (British 1818-1892)/The Sailor's Return/signed and dated 1852/label verso ' No 1, Relating the perils of a first long cruise' and 'She lov'd him for the dangers he had passed' and 'No 1, Tho's Brooks, 24 Campden Grove, Kensington'/oil on canvas, 85.5cm x 116.5cm/Note: Thomas Brooks, genre painter, born Hull. Exhibited at the RA 1843-1882 and at BI and SS. Many of his pictures depict dramas at sea such a 'The Missing Boat' and 'A Story of the Sea'. The present lot depicts the return of a young sailor to his family home. He bears gifts such as a parrot and tortoise for his enthralled family, who look on at the exotic gifts being produced from his sea chest, the Grandfather wears a naval medal, possibly Trafalgar. This is genre painting at narrative best