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Margaret Lemon (fl.1635-1640)
Anthony van Dyck·1638
Historical Context
Margaret Lemon from around 1638 depicts Van Dyck's English mistress, a woman of striking appearance who was known for her jealous temperament. The portrait provides a glimpse into the artist's personal life beyond his professional role as court painter. Van Dyck's portraits defined aristocratic self-presentation across Europe, his elongated elegance and atmospheric painting technique establishing a model for formal portraiture that dominated British art until the nineteenth century.
Technical Analysis
Van Dyck renders his mistress with characteristic sensual elegance, using warm skin tones and flowing hair to create a portrait of compelling feminine beauty and spirited character.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the warm skin tones and flowing hair creating compelling feminine beauty and spirited character.
- ◆Look at the characteristic sensual elegance in this c. 1638 portrait of Van Dyck's English mistress in the Royal Collection.
- ◆Observe a glimpse into the artist's personal life beyond his professional role — Margaret Lemon was known for her striking appearance and jealous temperament.
