The Sleeping Children

The Sleeping Children is a marble sculpture depicting two young sisters, Ellen-Jane and Marianne Robinson, resting peacefully in each other's arms on a bed. The work stands in the South Choir Aisle of Lichfield Cathedral, positioned beneath a black marble plaque.

The sculptor Francis Legatt Chantrey created this memorial in 1816 following the deaths of both girls. Ellen-Jane had suffered severe burns while Marianne became ill shortly afterward, leading to both of their deaths.

The sculpture attracted significant attention at the Royal Academy Art Exhibition of 1816 and prompted the creation of smaller copies for wider distribution. This popularity reveals how the work resonated with people and became a widely recognized image of the time.

The memorial is located in the South Choir Aisle of the cathedral and is easy to find, marked by a black marble plaque above it. Visitors can take time to examine the details of the white marble work closely from various angles.

The artist used a death mask of the younger girl to capture her facial features with precision in the finished marble work. This method allowed the sculptor to create an authentic likeness that went beyond typical memorial art.