The Ladies Waldegrave 1780

"The Ladies Waldegrave", a 1780 portrait by famed British painter Joshua Reynolds, depicts three sisters, the daughters of James, 2nd Earl Waldegrave, engaged in an intimate domestic scene. The work, now housed at the Scottish National Gallery, exemplifies Reynolds' mastery of portraiture, capturing the individual personalities and elegance of his subjects. The natural, unposed interaction between the sisters, their elaborate hairstyles, and the richly detailed interior create a sense of aristocratic refinement, characteristic of late 18th-century portraiture.