‘The mere relation of the sufferings of others’: Highmore, History Painting and the Foundling Hospital

Abstract

The history paintings of the English artist Joseph Highmore (1692–1780) have received limited critical analysis within art-historical scholarship both past and present. Portrait painting dominated his professional practice from 1715 to 1762 and yet, as this article contends, the study and production of history painting was both a signifi cant intellectual pursuit and an important creative strand within his artistic output. This article begins by exploring the role of history painting within Highmore’s art practice and career. It then focuses on the context, purpose and creation of the three extant examples of Highmore’s history painting: The Good Samaritan, Hagar and Ishmael, and an oil on canvas ‘sketch’ known as The Angel of Mercy. All three refl ect ideas surrounding charity in mid-Georgian Britain and, further, have direct or indirect associations with one charitable institution in particular: London’s Foundling Hospital.