Eloise at the Plaza
Painting on canvas • Hilary Knight
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Illustration / Narrative Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil and mixed media on canvas, featuring flat graphic application with expressive brushwork in the background
Creation Period
Original created in 1956; currently a reproduction or faithful replica displayed at The Plaza Hotel
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 48 x 36 inches; Portrait format
Subject Description
The painting depicts the famous fictional character Eloise, a precocious six-year-old girl who lives at The Plaza Hotel in New York. She is shown in her signature ensemble: a white ruffled blouse, black suspender skirt, and red hair bow. She is accompanied by her pug, Weenie, and her cat, Skipperdee. The setting is a grand interior of the hotel with neoclassical columns and palm fronds.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-maintained as a decorative focal point within a climate-controlled luxury environment
Estimated Market Value
While the original is of immense cultural value, a high-quality licensed replica for decor is valued between $5,000 - $15,000 based on scale and hotel history
Auction Estimate
$8,000 - $12,000
Provenance History
The original was famously stolen in 1960 and replaced; the current version has been a permanent fixture of The Plaza Hotel's portrait gallery for decades as a tribute to the character
Art Historical Significance
Iconic representation of American children's literature from the 1950s. Eloise became a cultural phenomenon, and this portrait is the quintessential visual representation of Kay Thompson's character as envisioned by Knight.
Notable Features
Features the character's mischievous expression, the Band-Aid on her knee (a classic Knight detail), and set in an ornate gilded frame characteristic of the hotel's aesthetic
Condition Issues
None visible; minor surface dust may accumulate due to public display; lighting glare from the overhead brass lamp
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic light dusting with a microfiber cloth and maintenance of the overhead incandescent/LED bulb to prevent UV heat damage