The Oddie Children

The Oddie Children from 1789 is a group portrait from early in Beechey's career, depicting the children of a prosperous English family. Such group portraits of children were popular commissions that showcased the artist's ability to capture youthful personality and familial bonds. Beechey, knighted in 1798 and portrait painter to Queen Charlotte, executed the work with his characteristic solid, dependable oil technique that documented Georgian society's ruling classes with honest directness.

The children are arranged in a natural grouping with individualized expressions, the warm coloring and outdoor setting creating an atmosphere of childhood innocence and health.