Harriet Low e George Chinnery

Harriet Low (1809-1877) viveu em Macau entre 1829 e 1834. Nesse período escreveu um diário que a filha resumiu e editou em 1900 num total de 9 volumes e 947 páginas. Neste livro surge uma ilustração do retrato de Harriet pintado por George Chinnery (1774-1852). Um pequeno quadro a óleo de 26.7x22,9 cm.

Harriet chegou a Macau a 29 de Setembro de 1829 e foi viver com o tio no nº 2 do Pátio da Sé, no topo da calçada de S. João. Depressa passou a conviver com os mais influentes residentes do território, incluindo os estrangeiros. Entre eles estava o pintor britânico George Chinnery que lhe fez um retrato a óleo em 1833, poucos meses antes de Harriet sair de Macau. Nos diários são muitas as referências de Harry a Chinnery. Aqui ficam algumas delas...

Retrato de Harriet Low por George Chinnery em 1833.

23 Novembro 1829 - Harriet descreve uma peça de teatro onde os cenários foram pintados por Chinnery e onde o pintor também foi actor....

Aunt L. received a note from Mr. Dent this morning, requesting to be allowed to accompany us to the play tonight. It was one of the drollest things you ever saw. I should like to have you know him. He is a pleasant creature. We had satin play-bills sent us this morning, which I shall send to you, that you may see the style in which everything is carried on in Macao. I assure you everything corresponds. We went to the play at seven, accompanied by Mr. Dent. You would have been amused, I am sure. Several of the scenes were painted by Mr. Chinnery, a famous portrait painter. The play was performed very well. Some parts were admirably done, but the most amusing were the female characters. Mr. Chinnery was one, and they could not have chosen anybody less fit to perform a female part; but, however, his ridiculous appearance made much sport. He represented Miss Lucretia McTab, and Mr. Alex ander was Miss Emily Worthington, a tall, lean- looking man, with a gruff voice; but she was supposed to be breaking the hearts of all the young beaux, and you have no idea how ugly she was! It was so inconsistent that we could not but laugh. (...)

8 Dezembro 1829 - Harriet visita o estúdio de Chinnery

I went to Chinnery the portrait painter's room yesterday. He had some fine likeness there. He is remarkably successful. How I wished that I had a little of the needful to put into the man's hand, that he might take my beautiful phiz, that I might transport it across the great waters into your own hands! But there, what's the use of wishing?

2 Abril 1830 - Harried elogia a pintura de Chinnery

After dinner looked out of the window, and saw one of the Company's ships with the sun shining on her well-filled sails. How I wished for Mr. Chinnery's talent for painting, that I might sketch for you the beautiful scene before me, the large and handsome church, milk-white, with a splendid flight of stones and steps, and surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Just before the fort, stretch ing into the bay. Beyond this again, you can see the roads, and the little boats skimming over the surface. In the distance two islands of high ground can be discerned, and the beautiful ship heading toward her much desired home. A little farther in, is a little European boat flying along under full sail, and any quantity of Chinese boats are in sight.

2 abril 1833 - Harriet descreve a personalidade de Chinnery

There is a good deal to be gathered from his conversation and some of his similes are most amusing. He has been a great observer of human nature, for which he has had every opportunity, his profession having brought him in contact with people of high and low degree. He has been in Calcutta (...) and has seen a great variety of characters (...) in that changing place. He has excellent sense, and plumes himself upon being, "though not handsome, excessively genteel"; (...) he is what I call fascinatingly ugly, (...) taking snuff, smoking and snorting (...)."

15 Maio 1833 - prestes a completar 24 anos, Harriet volta ao estúdio de Chinnery para uma última pose...

Went to Chinnery's this morning for my last sitting. The likeness is said to be perfect, but I think it is a very ugly face. It has not raised my vanity in the least. I sat there till nearly three, when I was quite exhausted, and very glad to leave the "studio." Spent the evening with Caroline, and read a tragedy called "Fazio," one played by Miss Kemble lately in New York. It is very good, and she is said to have acted the character of Bianca perfectly. Came home feeling very trisie, why I cannot say. I do suffer more from low spirits than I ever did before. What a light- hearted thing I used to be! Now I hardly find anything to make me feel really merry. I laugh, of course, but I have lost the feelings I once had. 'Tis retrospection, I think; the past year has been, I can truly say, the most melancholy that I ever passed, at least I have had more positive feelings of both kinds, pleasure and pain, - but would that it had never been! (...)