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Margaret Beckford, later Margaret Orde, and Susan Euphemia Beckford, later Duchess of Hamilton: The Beckford children
Margaret Beckford, later Margaret Orde, and Susan Euphemia Beckford, later Duchess of Hamilton: The Beckford children

Margaret Beckford, later Margaret Orde, and Susan Euphemia Beckford, later Duchess of Hamilton: The Beckford children

Maker (British, 1734-1802)
Sitter (British, 1784 - 1818)
Sitter (British, 1786 - 1859)
Collections
ClassificationsPAINTINGS
Dateca.1789-91
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 60 × 48 3/8 in. (152.4 × 122.9 cm.) frame: 70 3/4 × 59 1/4 × 5 3/4 in. (179.7 × 150.5 × 14.6 cm.)
DescriptionThis painting portrays two sisters, Margaret and Susan Beckford. The younger, Susan, sits on the ground, while Margaret is standing next to her. In the background are tree trunks and autumn-tinted foliage against a cloudy blue sky.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Status
Not on view
Label TextEnglish family portraits placed a premium on birth order. Romney articulates the relative status of Margaret and Susan Beckford in a variety of ways. Elder sister Margaret’s erect stance, elegantly placed hands, and direct gaze signal her dominance and sophistication, while Susan’s upward glance and crouching posture express the admiration and dependency of a younger sibling.
Bibliography
Object number20.9
    The Huntington
    Copyright © The Huntington