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SIBLING LOVE, Tate Britain

Writer's picture: dandeliondandelion

In celebration of love in all its many shapes and sizes as we approach Valentine's Day, we went on a hunt through the permanent collection at Tate Britain.


Follow our trail to find ten groups of brothers and sisters (one is a bit tenuous) in Rooms 1 to 14. And a bonus in Room 15.

The Cholmondeley Ladies c.1600-10 (artist unknown)
The Cholmondeley Ladies c.1600-10 (artist unknown)

'Two Ladies of the Cholmondeley Family, Who were born the same day, Married the same day, And brought to Bed [gave birth] the same day.'

Go sisters!

 
The Saltonstall Family by David Grange, c.1636-7
The Saltonstall Family by David Grange, c.1636-7

Pity the two little mites on the left. Their dead mama waves to them from her bed, while wife no 2 sits with her new baby on the right.

 
The Harvey Family by Godfrey Kneller, 1721
The Harvey Family by Godfrey Kneller, 1721

Flash Essex family, long before TOWIE. We like how the little girl is much more interested in her cheeky dog.

 
Three Children of Richard Arkwright with a Goat by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1791
Three Children of Richard Arkwright with a Goat by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1791
 
Two Children with a Book by Emma Soyer, 1831
Two Children with a Book by Emma Soyer, 1831

A rare example of the time of a portrait of Black children. The date of the painting coincided with increased campaigning by Black Caribbean clergy for an end to slavery in the British Empire.

 

The Golden Stairs by Edward Burne-Jones, 1880
The Golden Stairs by Edward Burne-Jones, 1880

OK, so these are not necessarily sisters, but the painting feels too much like a rendition of the fairytale of The Dancing Princesses not to include it.

 
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, 1885-86
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, 1885-86

Sargent drew Dolly and Polly, the daughters of his friend the illustrator Frederick Barnard, at their house in the Cotswolds.

 
The Ferryman by William Stott of Oldham, 1881
The Ferryman by William Stott of Oldham, 1881

There is something slightly spooky about this contemplative painting of children on a riverbank....

 
Mrs Cyprian Williams and her Two Little Girls by Philip Wilson Steer, 1891
Mrs Cyprian Williams and her Two Little Girls by Philip Wilson Steer, 1891

No one looks like they are having much fun this afternoon!

 

Family Group by Mabel Nicholson, c1911
Family Group by Mabel Nicholson, c1911

Are the boys preparing for a life of adventure and responsibility while the girl will end up darning the clothes? She doesn't look very happy about it if that is the case.

 
Drawing no. 4 'Path of Movement of a Point' after K Malevich by Goshka Macuga, 2003
Drawing no. 4 'Path of Movement of a Point' after K Malevich by Goshka Macuga, 2003

You need your own sibling with you to make this one work!

 

This trail runs through the galleries on the main floor of Tate Britain on the left hand side of the Duveen Galleries. Start at the back and work your way chronologically. Do let us know what your favourite is and if you find any other siblings.


Tate Britain is open 10am–6pm daily.









Emily Turner, 5 February 2025

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