Portrait of Sarah Hillhouse Gilbert Lawton Cunningham

Artist Francesco Augero (American, 1829 - 1882)

Sitter Norah Lawton Cunningham (American, 1855 - 1943)

Datec. 1858

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsCanvas: 24 × 19 1/4 inches (61 × 48.9 cm)
Framed: 33 1/4 × 28 1/2 × 3 1/4 inches (84.5 × 72.4 × 8.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of Nora Cunningham Cleveland Fuller.

Object number1977.70

On View

Not on view

CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextThe flowers throughout this portrait of Nora Cunningham emphasize her girlhood. She clasps a small bunch of roses in her hand, as if she has picked them from the rosebush behind her in the background. Like today, roses were associated with love during this period, and they may have been included as a symbol of Cunningham’s family’s devotion to their daughter. Francesco Augero’s depiction of colorful bouquets on the carpet below her feet and the sunrise skyline in the background further allude to Cunningham being in the “spring” of her life. Text written for 'Lingua Flora,' on view June 21–September 8, 2024.

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