Portrait of a Lady c.1675; Circle of Sir Peter Lely.

Oil on canvas in a 19th c. frame.
The sitter, possibly a lady of the Court, is extravagantly and expensively dressed in the height of fashion, her dress trimmed with fine lace. Her pearls, the quintessential Baroque ornament, are prominently displayed: she looks to her right, away from the viewer, with a thoughtful and self assured expression.

This is a sensitive and pleasing image by an artist as yet unidentified but very strongly influenced by Sir Peter Lely; the drapery is depicted in a confident painterly manner, with a real enjoyment in the handling of the medium.
The pose is one much favoured by Lely, being used in half lengths and three quarter lengths...the head to the right and the right arm crossing the body.

SIR PETER LELY (1618 - 1680) was the most important portraitist in the reign of Charles ll, although he had painted portraits throughout the Commonwealth. Dutch born as Pieter van der Faes, he became Principal Painter to the King, painting everyone of importance and maintaining a busy and active Studio to help with the huge demand for his portraits. Members of his Circle, many of them talented artists in their own right, emulated his style to supply this constant market.

SIZE: 23.5 x 20.25 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Oxfordshire.