A well-executed half-length portrait of a lady, set in a feigned carved oval cartouche, studio of Sir Peter Lely. The sitter is pictured in a blue dress with jewelled clasps and wears droplet pearl earrings and a necklace. Her intricately styled hair is also decorated with pearls. Pearls were not only demonstrations of high social rank but were also symbols of purity. Whilst the identity of the sitter has long since been lost, she was undoubtedly a lady of some standing and wealth. The portrait has been painted by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by Sir Peter Lely.

Sir Peter Lely was the leading portrait painter working in England at the court of Charles II during the mid to late 17th century. He was born Pieter van Faes to Dutch parents in Soest, Germany. He studied in Haarlem where he is thought to been apprenticed to Pieter de Grebber. He adopted the surname Lely after becoming a master of the Guild in Haarlem in 1637. He settled in London in 1641 where he became a highly successful court painter of portraits. Lely's talent was such that his career progressed after Charles I’s execution, and he served both Cromwell and Charles II.

© Benton Fine Art