The Graham Children William Hogarth, 1742 This portrait shows the children of Dr Daniel Gr

The Graham Children 

William Hogarth, 1742 

This portrait shows the children of Dr Daniel Graham, George II’s apothecary. On the left can be seen his young son Thomas, followed by his nine year old daughter Henrietta, the younger Anna Maria and the eight year old Richard. Despite this seeming like a happy portrait, there is a hidden sadness underneath. The baby Thomas died at the age of two during the painting of this portrait. This death is hinted at in the painting, the cat and the caged finch are suggestions of hopes going unfulfilled and the clock which is topped with a figure of Cupid, displayed as Time is a grim reminder of the untimely death.