Portrait of Mrs. Leneve
Peter Lely·c. 1657
Historical Context
Peter Lely's portrait of Mrs. Leneve, painted around 1657, dates from the transitional period between the Cromwellian Commonwealth and the Restoration of Charles II. Lely, born Pieter van der Faes in Soest, had established himself as the leading portrait painter in England following the death of Van Dyck in 1641. His sitters during this period included members of both Parliamentarian and Royalist families, demonstrating his remarkable ability to navigate the political divisions of mid-century England.
Technical Analysis
Lely's oil technique shows the warm, sensuous flesh painting and loose handling of drapery that characterized his mature style. The composition follows Van Dyck's three-quarter format, with the sitter's gaze and flowing costume creating elegant rhythms within the picture space.
Provenance
family of the sitter, by descent to Isabella Leneve; Isabelle Leneve, by descent to her nephew, Peter Leneve; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Leneve, Norwich, sold to Horace Walpole; Horace Walpole [1717-1797] Strawberry Hill, Middlesex, England, to Earl of Waldegrave; The Earls Waldegrave, consigned to Strawberry Hill sale, April 25, 1842, no. 61); (Robins sale, Strawberry Hill, May 18, 1842, sold to Dommes); Dommes; Sir Hugh Hume Campbell, Bart., sold at Christie’s, London; (Christie’s, London, June 16, 1894, no. 26, to Prideaux); Prideaux; R. C. Vose and N. M. Vose, Boston, sold to Mrs. Otto Miller; Mrs. Otto Miller, Cleveland, by gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
See It In Person
More by Sir Peter Lely (Pieter van der Faes)
Mary Capel (1630–1715), Later Duchess of Beaufort, and Her Sister Elizabeth (1633–1678), Countess of Carnarvon
Sir Peter Lely (Pieter van der Faes)·1652
Study for a Portrait of a Woman
Sir Peter Lely (Pieter van der Faes)·1670s
Sir Henry Capel (1638–1696)
Sir Peter Lely (Pieter van der Faes)·1654
_-_Barbara_Villiers_(1640%E2%80%931709)%2C_Duchess_of_Cleveland_-_LDUCS%2C_PC5408_-_UCL_Art_Museum.jpg&width=600)
Barbara Villiers (1640–1709), Duchess of Cleveland
Sir Peter Lely·1670
