Portrait miniatures: Susannah-Penelope Rosse

These miniatures are a delightfully intimate record of the artist, her relations and friends. Susannah's father was Richard Gibson, a miniaturist who learned to paint when a page to Charles I. Her parents were famous at court for their tiny stature, but Susannah and her siblings were of average height.

Susannah and her jeweller husband, Michael Rosse, lived in Henrietta Street, London, three streets from where she grew up. Samuel Cooper had also lived in Henrietta Street and she knew and admired his work. Her own miniatures were of a professional standard, but with her husband 's wealth she probably did not have to paint for a living

Click on the images below to see larger versions

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, self-portrait

Susannah-Penelope Rosse
Self-portrait
About 1680
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Museum no. 451-1892

This miniature is inscribed on the back, ‘Mrs Rosse’. The sitter’s hairstyle dates it to about 1680.

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, self-portrait

Susannah-Penelope Rosse (about 1655-1700)
Self-portrait
About 1685-90
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Inscribed on the back 'Mrs Rosse'
Museum no. 457-1892

This self-portrait was painted about five to ten years after the other one featured here.

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, portrait of Christopher Rosse

Susannah-Penelope Rosse (about 1655-1700)
Portrait of Christopher Rosse
About 1677
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Inscribed on the back 'My Father/Rosse'
Museum no. 456-1892

Christopher Rosse (died 1701) was the artist's father-in-law and a jeweller employed at court. He lived in Covent Garden, in Samuel Cooper's former house in Henrietta Street, next door to Susannah.

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, portrait of Mrs van Vrybergen

Susannah-Penelope Rosse (about 1655-1700)
Portrait of Mrs van Vrybergen, born Anne Gibson
About 1690-5
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Inscribed on the back 'Mrs Vryberge'
Museum no. 455-1892

Anne had married a Dutchman but the marriage failed and thereafter she lived with her sister, Susannah. She met her husband while in the Netherlands with her father Richard Gibson. Gibson had accompanied Princess Mary as drawing master when she married William of Orange in 1677.

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, portrait of Mrs Priestman

Susannah-Penelope Rosse (about 1655-1700)
Portrait of Mrs Priestman (born Mary Rosse)
About 1690
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Inscribed on the back 'Mrs Preistman'
Museum no. 452-1892

Mary Priestman was the sister-in-law of the artist. Her husband, Henry Priestman,was a draper and sold woollen cloth.

Susannah-Penelope Rosse, portrait of Mrs Pru Phillips

Susannah-Penelope Rosse (about 1655-1700)
Portrait of Mrs Pru Phillips
About 1690
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Inscribed on the back 'Mrs Pru Fillips'
Museum no. 445-1892

Pru Phillips was a neighbour of the Rosses in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. She was the wife of William Phillips, who settled on the same side of the street as Susannah in 1688/9.