England, 18th century / c. 1761
Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima Yorke as painting (England, 18th century · c. 1761).
Her family affectionately referred to Mary Jemima (at right) as "Mouse."
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Joshua Reynolds (British, 1723–1792).
The museum's collection notes: 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.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait of the Ladies Amabel and Mary Jemima YorkeOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.