Little Acre Flowers
Lady Cockburn and her Three Children
Photographed by Aimee Custis
Florist’s Interpretation
As many of us are mothers ourselves, we can only imagine what a scene it was for Lady Cockburn to sit for this portrait! Inspired by this depiction of motherhood and the energy of the children, we sought to bring this painting to life through flowers, but with our Little Acre twist: using exclusively locally sourced blooms. All of the flowers used in our design have been sourced nearby, in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We’ve also drawn from the world of floriography and selected a few varieties specifically because of what they represent: haven/sanctuary (Queen Anne’s Lace), energy in action (chamomile), youth (foxglove), open heart and lightness (Larkspur), and virtue (mint).
Lady Cockburn and Three Children
Attributed to Joshua Reynolds, ca. 1773, this portrait shows Lady Augusta Anne Cockburn [pronounced Co-burn] with her three eldest children, all in classical dress and draperies. George Cockburn, the toddler climbing over his mother’s back, went on to become a British admiral. He is best known for planning and executing the burning of Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, and he also commanded the ship that delivered Napoleon to exile on St. Helena in 1815. This canvas is thought to be a study for Reynolds’ larger final version at the National Gallery in London. Larz Anderson purchased this painting in 1905 from V. G. Fischer Art Galleries in Washington, D.C.
Title: Lady Cockburn and Three Children
Artist: Creator: Attributed to Joshua Reynolds
Date of Creation: ca. 1773
Location: Second floor, English Drawing Room
Make it stand out
“Known for their garden-inspired aesthetic, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to supporting the local community, Little Acre sources only from local growers who provide fresh and distinctive varietals throughout the year, allowing for arrangements that always reflect the season and feature only the highest quality and longest-lasting blooms.”