Dates: Born, 1723; died, 1792.
Questions to arouse interest. What do you see in this picture? Why do you think these heads look alike? How do they differ? How many are looking up? Which one is looking right at you? Where are the others looking? Where does the light come from? Where does the ray of light strike each head? Which looks the happiest? the most thoughtful? Which one seems to be singing? Which one do you like best? why? How many know a little girl with blue eyes and light hair who looks something like one of these?
The story of the picture. Far back in a beautiful yard, so large that it was almost a park, was a house so fine that people drove past just to see it. In this house lived a nobleman, his wife, and one lovely little daughter. Their names were Lord and Lady William Gordon, and the little girl's name was Frances Isabelle Gordon. Perhaps you have already guessed that she was the little girl we see in this picture. And this is how she happened to have her picture painted: The artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds, was a great friend of Lord and Lady Gordon and used to visit them very often. He would ride in a splendid carriage which was gilded and carved on the outside and decorated with wonderful pictures painted by himself. He had a coachman and footman, too, and when he came riding up the long driveway, little Frances must have run out to see the great carriage, for no one else had one like it.
Soon Sir Joshua Reynolds and Frances Isabelle became great friends. He could tell such good stories! And then he liked to play games with her, and above all he liked to tease her. But she did not mind his teasing, for she could run away from him when she did not like it.
Sometimes he would invite her to ride home with him in his carriage. Then he would show her his studio where he painted, and let her play with some of the toys he always kept ready for his little friends. Very likely her mother would tell him to send her home in an hour. How she must have enjoyed the ride back all alone in the big carriage, with the tall coachman and footman sitting so straight! No doubt she pretended she was a great lady riding in state, and sat very still and proper.
Sir Joshua Reynolds loved this little girl very much, and he was glad indeed when one day her mother brought her to have her picture painted.
Angels' Heads
There were no photograph galleries then such as we have now, so there was no other way to have one's picture taken. The great artist put his piece of canvas on an easel and mixed his colors. Then he told Frances Isabelle just where to sit. Although Sir Joshua Reynolds painted very rapidly, she had to sit still for a long time, and come several days, before the picture could be finished.