The Pattle Sisters were unconventional icons of the 19th century. From artists' muses to salon hosts - and even artists in their own right - they have inspired many since their debut into Victorian society. But who were they, and what's this talk of "talent, dash and beauty"? Let's find out.

Adeline Mackenzie (1812–1836)

Adeline was the eldest of the Pattle sisters and sadly lived the shortest life. She was born on 19 February 1812 in West Bengal in India, and began travelling between Europe and India at a young age.

She was educated in France, where she lived with her grandmother. Adeline met Captain (later Lieutenant General) Colin Mackenzie (1806-1881), a British officer in the Madras Army, whilst travelling to Cape of Good Hope with her parents and sisters, Virginia and Sophia. Adeline and Colin became close after meeting, and they later married in 1832 in Westminster. They resided in Madras (now known as Chennai), and welcomed three daughters: Adeline Anne, Mary Julia and Rose Prinsep.

In 1836, Adeline sadly passed away following ongoing ill-health. She died at sea on a voyage to England aboard the Catherine with her three children. Once the children arrived in England, they were cared for by their aunt, Mrs King, Colin's sister.

Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879)

Julia Margaret Cameron is probably a name you're familiar with. She's famous for her portraits and was a pioneer in early fine art photography. Julia was born on 11 June 1815 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, and spent her early years in Paris and Versailles with her grandmother, where she was educated.

She married Charles Hay Cameron (1795-1880), a jurist based in India, in 1838. The couple had six children together: Julia Hay, Eugene, Ewen Wrottesley, Hardinge, Charles and Henry Herschel. They moved between India and England, frequently visiting Little Holland House (the home of Julia's sister, Sara Prinsep - who we will be looking at next). This is where Julia met influential artists, poets and writers of the day - G F Watts being one of them. They became good friends, writing to each other about Julia's photography practice whilst apart.

In 1860, Julia and Charles settled in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, creating a home, Dimbola, that served as an artistic retreat and salon for artists, writers and reformers. It was at their home, Dimbola, that Julia began experimenting with photography at the age of 48 after being gifted a camera by her daughter. Julia was dubbed the 'talent' of the sisters, renowned for her literary and photography works.

Sarah or 'Sara' Monkton Prinsep (1816–1887)

Sara was born on 16 August 1816 in British Calcutta and also spent her early years in France. She married Sir Henry Thoby Prinsep, member of the Bengal Civil Service, in 1835. Together, they had four children (Alice Marie, Henry Thoby, Valentine Cameron and Arthur Haldimand) and informally adopted the children of Henry's brother, including May Prinsep.

The family resided in Bengal, India until Henry retired from service in 1848. Through an introduction made by G F Watts to the Holland family, the Prinseps leased Little Holland House, Kensington, from 1851 to 1871. Almost immediately, Watts moved into Little Holland House, becoming the Prinseps' artist-in-residence for over 20 years. Little Holland House transformed into a salon of leading Victorian figures, hosted by Sara, earning her the title of the 'dash' of the sisters. With G F Watts and the formidable Pattle sisters as a draw, guests included Lord Tennyson, Charles Darwin, Edward Burne-Jones, and Frederic Lord Leighton.

Maria or 'Mia' Theodosia Jackson (1818–1892)

Although we know less about Mia Pattle, her role as the grandmother of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell marks her as the matriarch of the Bloomsbury Group. Mia was born at sea on 7 July 1818, a dramatic entry amid her mother’s constant travels. Mia later married John Jackson, a civil surgeon, in 1837, and together they had four children: Adeline Maria, George Corrie, Mary Louisa, and Julia Prinsep.

The Jacksons began their married life in India; however, Mia’s health meant that by 1848, she had returned to England with their children. Dr Jackson missed his children, relying on sketches by G F Watts sent to India to stay in touch during the long periods they spent apart. In 1855, the Jackson family were reunited in England.

Mia’s daughter, Julia Jackson, married Leslie Stephen in 1878, following her first husband's death in 1870. Together, they had four children. Two of whom were Vanessa (later Vanessa Bell, following her marriage to Clive Bell in 1907) and Adeline Virginia (later known as Virginia Woolf, following her marriage to Leonard Woolf in 1912). They were founding members of the Bloomsbury Group; a collective of creatives and intellectuals who shaped early 20th-century British culture.

Louisa Bayley (1821–1873)

Louisa was born in Calcutta on 5 October 1821. Unfortunately, we know little about this Pattle sister. Louisa married Henry Vincent Bayley in 1838, a prominent civil servant and colonial administrator in the Bengal Civil Service. They had four children together: Adeline Anne, Maria ‘Mia’ Louisa, William de L'Etang and Henry.

Louisa was a skilled artist in her own right, often working in watercolour and oils. Her artworks reflected Victorian tastes for landscape, portraiture, and genre painting, and she mingled in the same social circles that intersected with the contemporary artistic movements of the time.

Virginia Somers-Cocks, Countess Somers (1827–1910)

Virginia was born on 14 January 1827 in Calcutta. Following their parents death in 1845, Virginia and her younger sister Sophia moved in with their older sister Sara Prinsep in London.

Known as ‘beauty’, Virginia captivated G F Watts from the moment he saw her walking the streets of London. She sat for several portraits by him and modelled for Apollo and Diana (1854-55) and Britomart (1877-1878), among Watts’ other works.

In 1850, Virginia married Charles Somers-Cocks, shortly before inheriting the title of 3rd Earl Somers. It's been said that Charles first saw Virginia through one of Watts’s earlier portraits of her and fell in love, declaring that he would marry her. The couple spent a lot of time travelling together, something they both loved to do. Together they had three children: Isabella Caroline, Adeline Marie and Virginia. Sadly, their youngest daughter, Virginia, died at a young age.

Sophia Ricketts Dalrymple (1829–1911)

Sophia, the youngest of the sisters, was born in Calcutta on 19 March 1829. In 1847, she married John Dalrymple, a military officer and colonial administrator. He was also part of the Dalrymple family, which had strong Scottish military and aristocratic ties. They had three children together: Hew Cameron, Virginia Julian and Walter Layard.

Sophia was described as charming and gentle, and, like her sister Virginia, was known for her beauty and had many admirers. In fact, Edward Burne-Jones had fallen in love with Sophia and gifted her an album of drawings and sketches, showing his admiration for her. Unfortunately, he was a little too late as Sophia was already married with two children at the time of their meeting. Like Virginia, she was a favoured subject of Watts. She sat for several portraits for him.