look like sentimental depictions of children and rustic families, but they might have been intended for more serious purpose. It was noticed that"children can be used to publicize the iniquities of the social system without seeming to attack the social structure; reform might well be achieved by appeals to the conscience through sentiment rather than by reasoned argument and criticism of an overly political character." If so, O’Neill's images of children can be seen in the context of Dickens’ novels as a part of the social movements of that time. The following decades saw a significant decline in the quality of his works and in their popularity. He died in London on 23 September 1917, just two months into his 89th year, having not exhibited for the last 24 years of his life. References Further reading Greg, Andrew. The Cranbrook Colony. Exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 1977. The Cranbrook Colony. Exhibition at The Vestry Hall, Cranbrook. 1981. The Cranbrook Colony. An Exhibition on show at the Weald Gallery, Cranbrook Library. 1994. The Cranbrook Colony: Fresh Perspectives. Wolverhampton Art Gallery. External links G B O'Neill online (ArtCyclopedia) G B O'Neill biography (Janet Whitmore Ph.D. - Rehs Galleries) O'Neill biography and works ("The Weald - people, history and genealogy") Paintings by O'Neill (Art Renewal Center Museum) Hide and seek (Oil on panel, exhibited 1869 at the Royal Academy) 1828 births 1917 deaths 19th-century Irish painters 20th-century Irish painters Irish male painters Irish genre painters Painters from Dublin (city) 19th-century Irish male artists 20th-century Irish male artists