The present picture is a sketch for the painting exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1868 (Guildhall Art Gallery, London) for which Holl won the coveted Travelling Scholarship. Queen Victoria greatly admired the picture and wanted to purchase it but it had already sold to Fred Pawle, a friend of Holl's wife's parents. Although the title was taken from Job, i, 21 the subject was based upon Mrs Dinah Craik's novel of 1851, The Head of the Family: 'They gathered round the table - Lindsay sitting where she had presided for some years as mistress of her father's household. Opposite to her was that father's empty chair. Each glanced that way, and then all eyes were lowered. None looked up, and all kept silence as Ninian came in and took the vacant place.'
[Sotheby’s, London - Oil on canvas, 53.5 x 75 cm]