The Shudi Family Group

Sittersback to top

• Burkat Shudi (1702-1773), Harpsichord maker. Sitter in 1 portrait.
• Burkat Shudi (1737-1803), Second son of Burkat Shudi. Sitter in 1 portrait.
• Catherine Shudi (née Wild) (1707-1758), Wife of Burkat Shudi. Sitter in 1 portrait.
• Joshua Shudi (1736-1754), Elder son of Burkat Shudi. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Marcus Tuscher (1705-1751). Artist of 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Burkat Shudi, one of the leading London harpsichord makers of the eighteenth century, is shown with his wife Catherine and their two young sons, Joshua and Burkat. He is tuning a harpsichord which is said to have been made for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Of Swiss origin, Shudi settled in London in 1718 and founded the firm which later became Broadwoods, makers of pianos. This portrait shows him with his wife Catherine and their two sons: six-year old Joshua, wearing a blue frock-coat, and Burkat, aged five, still in his baby-clothes. The composition and props in this informal 'conversation piece' indicate the family's taste and prosperity. Probably painted around 1742, this portrait celebrates the family's recent inheritance - the paper Catherine holds is thought to be a copy of her father's will.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Gibson, Robin, The Face in the Corner: Animal Portraits from the Collections of the National Portrait Gallery, 1998, p. 38
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 55
• Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 115
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 92
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 92
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 726

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Family Faces (14 February 2005 - 4 September 2005)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Beningbrough Hall
• Children
• Family portraits
• Group portraits
• Making music
• Pets and animals