March 3, 1780

Joseph Highmore was an 18th century English painter. His dates are 13 June 13, 1692 to 3 March 3, 1780 and London was always his world. He studied law as a young man. His uncle was a painter though and such a career was Highmore's real goal. Having succeeded as a portrait painter he still, to quote the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, "was a rather aloof figure among his professional peers, preferring instead the company of literary men such as [Samuel] Richardson, Hawkins Browne, James Harris, John Hawkesworth, and William Duncombe." 

His daughter is the subject of a charming portrait currently owned by the National Gallery of Victoria. Their description of this painting runs this way: Susanna Highmore, circa 1740-45, oil on canvas. "This delightful portrait of the artist's daughter, Susanna, shows why she was known to be a provocative beauty. Susanne, who loved animals, is accompanied by her two cats and a parrot perched on a swinging ring. "

Highmore also did a portrait called,  "A Portrait of a Boy with a Pet Squirrel" . Not sure who the boy is. 

Highmore eventually retired to Canterbury where he lived with his daughter and her husband.