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
Subjects (general)
Animals Portraits
Subjects (specific)
daughters domestic cat (species) dresses (garments) girls miniatures (paintings) parrot three-quarter-length figures youth (people)
Movements
Rococo