Portrait of a Duke, late 17th or early 18th Century.

In 17th century Britain portraiture flourished and between the 1640Õs and 1680 the dominant court painter Sir Peter Lely was at the forefront of this craft. Having arriving in England from he rapidly established himself as one of the countryÕs most important portrait painters, including Charles I as patron. He painted the most elite and influential members of the court and it was the de rigueur of the day to have one's portrait painted by him. He ran a prolific studio and to accommodate this demand it was necessary to employ a vast number of studio assistants, whom along a vast number of pupils and copyists (see Charles Beale and Thomas Hawker), carried on Lely's traditions after his death, well into the 18th century (many producing variations of Lely's themes). These works are often fine works of art in themselves. Our painting is such an example. Painted late 17th or early 18th century, it depicts a young Duke with long brown hair. The translucent light skin and the almond eyes are trademarks of Lely's style and where an idealisation of beauty at the at the time. A feature of this portrait is the wonderfully carved frame, that contains a brass presentation plate with text: Portrait Sir Peter Lely 1618-1680Ó. H: 29 3/4 in., L: 24 5/8 in.