He became a friend and pupil of Holman-Hunt working as his studio assistant. Following Hunt’s return from his first visit to the Holy Land, he & Martineau shared a studio for a time. The influence of Hunt can be seen in Martineau’s paintings, the most famous of which is ‘The last day in the Old Home,’ which combines a wealth of carefully painted detail with a strong moral message. Martineau was also the painter of ‘ the Last Chapter.’

Unfortunately Martineau died at the age of forty three, otherwise he would be very much better known.