Penelope Boothby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Penelope Boothby
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Penelope Boothby in 1788 on a painting by Joshua Reynolds
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| Born | 11 April 1785 |
| Died | 13 March 1791 (aged 5) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Model |
Penelope Boothby (born April 11, 1785, died March 13, 1791) was a young girl. She became one of the most famous child figures in British art. Many artists were inspired by her. These include painters like Joshua Reynolds and Henry Fuseli. A sculptor named Thomas Banks made a statue of her. Even Lewis Carroll took photos inspired by her. Her father, Brooke Boothby, wrote a poem about her.
Experts say Penelope became a classic symbol of childhood. She represented innocence during the Romantic era. Her image showed what people felt was lost or feared losing. Her picture was used a lot in popular culture during the 1900s.
Her Life Story
Penelope was the daughter of Sir Brooke Boothby (1744-1824). He was a linguist, meaning he studied languages. He was also a translator and a poet. Her mother was Susanna Bristoe (1755-1822).
Penelope's father really liked the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau was a famous writer and philosopher. Sir Brooke Boothby even translated some of his books. He became a Baronet, a special title, in 1789.
Sir Brooke Boothby also studied plants as an amateur botanist. He worked with Erasmus Darwin, a well-known scientist. He knew many women from the Blue Stockings Society. This was a group of educated women who met to discuss literature and art. He was also known for his love of art and for helping others.
Becoming a Model
When Penelope was three years old, in July 1788, she became a model. She posed for the famous British artist Joshua Reynolds. This happened in his studio in London. The painting is called "Portrait of Penelope Boothby," or "Cap." It is now in the London National Gallery.
Soon after the portrait was finished, Penelope and her father went back home. Their family estate was in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Penelope likely spent the rest of her short life there.
Penelope's Personality
Penelope was a quiet girl. She liked playing with her dolls by herself. She was not a noisy child, but she had a happy personality. She loved her father very much. She would wait for him at the gates when he came home. In the evenings, she would sit on his lap.
On Sunday mornings, she went to church with her mother. She would kneel beside her during the service. We know all this from a book her father wrote. It is called "Sorrows Sacred to the Memory of Penelope." The book includes 24 poems called sonnets.
Her Early Death
Penelope died in 1791. This was about a month before her sixth birthday. She had been sick for about a month. Erasmus Darwin, the scientist, tried to treat her, but it did not work.
Her father was very sad about her death. He asked the artist Henry Fuseli to paint a picture of Penelope. This painting shows her being carried to heaven by an angel. He also asked the sculptor Thomas Banks to make a statue for her tomb. This statue shows Penelope peacefully asleep.
Images for kids
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Thomas Banks. Tombstone of Penelope Boothby, 1793
