Visitors to castles across Yorkshire and Cumbria will undoubtedly have seen the name of Lady Anne Clifford. In the 17th century she was a great patron of the arts. Her legacy was a huge rebuilding programme which helped preserve many grand buildings, including Skipton and Broughan Castles.
But Lady Anne had to struggle for most of her life to gain what, she considered, was her rightful place in society. On her father's deathbed she was disinherited because she was a woman. After 40 years she finally succeeded in returning to her family home.
In memory of this she commissioned two large triptychs that would tell her story. Only one still survives and it is being shown at Tate Britain until the end of August. Anna McNamee went to see what is known as Lady Anne's Great Picture with the music historian Dr Lynn Hulse and the Tate curator, Karen Hearn.
On Friday 26th March Tate Britain will be hosting a special symposium on Lady Anne Clifford, patronage and gender in 17th century Britain.
