Collection Online

Susanna Highmore
(c. 1740-1745)

Medium
oil on canvas

Measurements
91.5 × 71.1 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1947

Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

 

About this work

In this portrait of the artist’s daughter, Susanna, her love of animals is illustrated through the sitter being accompanied by her two cats and a parrot perched on a swinging ring. The antics of Poll the parrot were described by John Hawkesworth, a family friend, in verse in April 1750: ‘Whilst Poll’s in gilded prison hung, / Singing to all (himself unsung) / Pho! Out! Fie for shame! / …Tho’ Poll’s a saucy rogue.’

Artwork Details

Accession Number
1761-4

Department
International Painting

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited