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.’