A Group of Children by Christina Robertson (née Saunders), “The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour, Mignard: The Power of Posing” at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery

Christina Saunders was born in Kinghorn, Fife. Her uncle George, who was a miniature painter, provided her with her artistic training, and she began her career in London where he lived. She became a successful portrait painter, working in oils and watercolours, as well as producing miniatures. Saunders married fellow artist james Robertson. Her career eclipsed her husband’s, and she was a pioneering woman in many respects, exhibiting at the Royal Academy, setting up her own studio, and in 1829 becoming the first honorary woman member of the Royal Scottish Academy.

In the mid-183os she worked in Paris and spent much of the 184os in St Petersburg working as royal artist for the Russian Court. In 1841 she was made an honorary member of the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg.

Saunders had eight children, but only four survived infancy. These four are the children in this painting. Their costumes show the fashion of the time – the girls’ dresses with bared shoulders, and the boys with soft collars. Fruit was traditionally included in many portraits of children, alluding to the sweet, fresh years of childhood.

Provenance: gift from Miss E. Drew, 1946

Object description
Type: Easel Painting
Location: South Shields Museum, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Christina Robertson (née Saunders) (1796-1854)
Date: c. 1850

Image Details
Date: 31 August 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/50s
ISO: 160
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.