An Unknown Lady, inscribed Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709)
manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1800 - 1899
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1194 x 972 mm (47 x 38 1/4 in)
Order this imageCollection
Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk
NT 1210305
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, An Unknown Lady, inscribed Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland (1640 - 1709), manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 - London 1680). A three-quarter-length portrait of a young woman, turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, wearing an olive-green dress, with a blue, draped fichu falling into her lap. Circular decolletage. Left hand in lap, holding end of fichu. Right hand on chair-arm concealed by a crimson, draped curtain behind her. A landscape view is glimpsed to the left of the subject's ringletted coiffure, as she tilts her head towards the viewer. She wears pearls at her throat and in her ears, which match the pearl bands restraining her very full, above-elbow sleeves. Inscribed 'Duchess of Cleveland' top right. White catalogue number '83' l.r.
Provenance
Part of the Bedingfeld collection; presented to the National Trust by Sybil Lyne-Stephens, Lady Paston-Bedingfeld (1883 – 1985), 1961
Makers and roles
manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680), artist