19th century oil on canvas genre scene, depicting a sulking boy arriving late to class, his dog behind him in the doorway, while the schoolmaster attempts to spank the boy's bottom with his hat and his classmates watch on. The painting is unsigned; a later nameplate attached to the front attributes it to Alfred George Webster (British, 1852 - 1916), although the style and subject matter are more closely related to Thomas Webster (English, 1800-1886), a British figure and genre painter whose scenes often include misbehaving children. Antique, possibly original giltwood frame with applied shell and scroll corner decoration and net-textured surface. 24" x 29" sight, 33" x 38" framed. English School, mid- 19th century. Provenance: a Mississippi estate.

Relined. Scattered losses and later overall gilding to frame.