The Three Sleepers: Sophia Finlay, Harriet Farnie and Brownie

c. 1845

David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson

Associated Names
David Octavius Hill

Artist, Scottish, 1802 - 1870

Robert Adamson

Artist, Scottish, 1821 - 1848

The image shows two children, both visible from the waist up. The child on the left sits with one arm resting on the piece of furniture behind them, eyes closed and head slightly tilted, with long, straight hair parted in the middle. They wear a garment with fringed detailing along the arms. The child on the right is lying with their head resting on their arms, eyes closed, with hair that appears to be similarly parted and straight. This child is dressed in plaid with a collar visible at the neckline. Around them, there is a piece of furniture draped with richly textured fabric adorned with tassels. The background seems to be blurred, focusing attention on the children.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    salted paper print

  • Credit Line

    New Century Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 20.6 x 15.6 cm (8 1/8 x 6 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1997.97.3


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

William Rubel, Santa Cruz, CA; purchased with donated funds by NGA, 1997.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1973

  • The Hill/Adamson Albums: A Selection from Early Victorian Photographs Acquired by The National Portrait Gallery in January 1973. London: Times Newspapers Ltd., 1973: no. 50.

1987

  • The Photographs of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson. Exh. cat. Mendel Art Gallery. Saskatoon [Canada], 1997: no. 74, p. 44.

Inscriptions

all on mount: lower right printed in black ink: RSA; by later hands: upper right in graphite: W9 R/4/6

Wikidata ID

Q64146025

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