The Ladies Waldegrave

Reynolds was particularly skilled at choosing poses and actions that suggested a sitter's character and that also created a strong composition. Here, three sisters, the daughters of the 2nd Earl Waldegrave, are shown collaboratively working on a piece of needlework. The joint activity links the girls together. On the left, the eldest, Lady Charlotte, holds a skein of silk that the middle sister, Lady Elizabeth, winds onto a card. On the right, the youngest, Lady Anna, works a tambour frame, using a hook to make lace on a taut net.

We present this work thanks to the National Galleries of Scotland. : )

P.S. These four cute Joshua Reynolds’ children will make you miss childhood!