How Did They Tame The Squirrels?

From a library Request For Information card from 1976

In 18th‑century English paintings, squirrels frequently appear in portraits and genre scenes because they carried symbolic and social significance. Wealthy families often commissioned paintings that included exotic or unusual pets to reflect their refinement, education, and connection to the natural world. Red squirrels, which were native and considered charming and lively, symbolized affection, curiosity, and domestic harmony. They also highlighted the owner’s ability to manage and display elements of nature within a cultivated household.

As for how these squirrels were posed without harming the painter or the sitter, most were not truly tamed in the modern sense. Instead, there were a few practical methods:

1. Collars and Chains: Many 18th‑century portraits show squirrels with tiny collars or chains attached to the sitter’s hand, chair, or table. This limited their movement and kept them in place for the artist.
2. Taxidermy or Temporary Restraints: In some cases, artists may have worked from taxidermy specimens or relied on brief sketching sessions with the squirrel restrained, then completed details later.
3. Short Sketch Sessions: When live squirrels were used, the artist would make rapid studies from life and rely on memory and imagination for the final painting.

In short, these squirrels were likely semi‑domestic pets or temporarily restrained animals, rather than fully tame companions quietly posing for hours. The paintings reflect both the 18th‑century fascination with nature and the desire to display status through rare and delightful details, rather than a miraculous ability to train squirrels not to bite.