Sir Hubert von Herkomer (1849–1914), a Bavarian-born British painter, was active during the Late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Coming from a family of modest means—his father was a wood-carver—he trained in art at the South Kensington Schools. Herkomer established himself first as an illustrator for The Graphic, a popular social realist newspaper, before becoming a highly successful painter. While he painted an incredibly prolific number of portraits for high society (he painted Queen Victoria on her deathbed), people best remember him for his powerful scenes of Social Realism, an artistic subcategory of the Victorian Era that focused on the harsh and often tragic realities of working-class life. Unlike artists who relied on a single patron, Herkomer achieved his success largely through commercial means, selling major works like The Last Muster (1875), Hard Times (1885), and On Strike (1891) to the public and securing numerous portrait commissions. His style features a high degree of realism, dramatic compositions, and a deep sense of empathy for his subjects. Translating his emotionally charged work into a cross-stitch design lets you honor the human spirit and resilience captured in his paintings; as you stitch the detailed figures and compelling narratives, you'll feel a profound connection to the historical struggles and poignant dignity of his subjects, thus creating a masterpiece that is both beautiful and meaningful.