Anonymous: The Cholmondeley Ladies (1600-1610)

(Tate, London, UK)

A painting made by an unknown English artist. This painting shows two ladies seated upright and side by side in bed, each holding a baby. According to the text on the painting the two ladies are "Two Ladies of the Cholmondeley Family, Who were born the same day, Married the same day, And brought to Bed the same day". The identity of the ladies is not known for sure but it is suggested that it shows two daughters of Sir Hugh and Lady Mary Cholmondeley: Lettice, first wife of Sir Richard Grosvenor, 1st Baronet (and mother of Sir Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Baronet), and Mary Calveley (died 1616), wife of George Calveley. Painting from 1600-1610.