Skip to Main Content

Artwork Page for Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke

Details / Information for Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke

Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke

c. 1761
This object has related works. See
(British, 1723–1792)
England, 18th century
oil on canvas
Framed: 224.5 x 201.3 x 11.4 cm (88 3/8 x 79 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.); Unframed: 196 x 170 cm (77 3/16 x 66 15/16 in.); Former: 223.5 x 198 x 9 cm (88 x 77 15/16 x 3 9/16 in.)
Bequest of John L. Severance 1942.645
Location: 203A British Painting and Decorative Arts
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Print

Did You Know?

Her family affectionately referred to Mary Jemima (at right) as "Mouse."

Description

Sisters Amabel (left) and Mary Jemima are shown playing on the grounds of their family’s country estate outside London. They wear loose, flowing garments invented specifically for the portrait rather than their usual outdoor dresses. Their father commissioned the painting to hang in the family’s city home in London’s St. James Square and it highlights their status as landowners. Joshua Reynolds painted this portrait after his return from Italy, where his studies inspired him to incorporate classical references. The famous ancient Roman Statue of a Girl with a Dove is echoed in Mary Jemima’s pose as she shields a dove from the family dog.

Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke

c. 1761

Joshua Reynolds

(British, 1723–1792)
England, 18th century

See Also

Videos

Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke

Visions of Childhood

Symbolism

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.