Peter Lely, 1618 – 1680

The 100 Most Famous Paintings by Peter Lely

The painting that made Peter Lely famous is Queen Mary II (1677); it hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, Londýn. James VII and II, when Duke of York (1661) and Portrait of a man, thought to be George Booth, Lord Delamere (1660) follow it in the hearts of collectors and museum visitors. Of the 240 works by Peter Lely in our catalogue, these 100 are the most admired, each presented with its date, its museum and what sets it apart.

Seřazeno podle našeho skóre popularity, které kombinuje počet vyhledávání, návštěv a objednávek u každého díla. Aktualizováno říjen 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.

Portrét Peter Lely
Peter Lely · 1618 – 1680
Narozen · zemřel
1618 – 1680, Soest
Směr
Baroque style
Díla v našem katalogu
240
Nejslavnější
Queen Mary II (1677)
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National Portrait Gallery

Peter Lely: the ten masterpieces

Queen Mary II (1677) od Peter Lely
1

Queen Mary II

1677 · Oil On Canvas · National Portrait Gallery, Londýn

In this oil on canvas, Peter Lely captures Queen Mary II at a threshold of life and sovereignty. Painted about 1677, the portrait finds the subject at the age of fifteen. She is the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and Anne Hyde. A quiet stillness settles over the young woman, even as her life moves toward the gravity of the throne.

James VII and II, when Duke of York (1661) od Peter Lely
2

James VII and II, when Duke of York

1661 · Oil On Canvas · Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh

In this commanding 1661 portrait, Sir Peter Lely captures the essence of a man destined for the throne: James VII and II during his tenure as the Duke of York. The painting serves as a breathtaking window into the late Stuart period, presenting a subject of profound importance with an air of effortless sophistication. Clad in a magnificent gold coat that catches the light, accented by a striking red sash,…

Portrait of a man, thought to be George Booth, Lord Delamere (1660) od Peter Lely
3

Portrait of a man, thought to be George Booth, Lord Delamere

1660 · Oil On Canvas · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

A man of significant standing is captured in this mid-seventeenth-century oil on canvas, his presence defined by a heavy, dark suit and a prominent collar. He holds a piece of paper, a gesture suggesting literacy, legal authority, or perhaps a specific political mandate. His long, curly hair and well-groomed beard frame a face marked by intricate detail, conveying a sense of individual temperament. The composition focuses on the interplay between…

Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester (1646-1687) (1665) od Peter Lely
4

Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester (1646-1687)

1665 · Oil On Canvas · Hampton Court Palace, Londýn

The sitter emerges from a shadowed landscape, a vision of 17th-century nobility caught in a moment of quiet poise. Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester, is rendered with a serene expression that masks a subtle, underlying gravity. Her gown, a luminous sky blue, catches the light from the upper left, casting soft shadows into the voluminous folds of silk. A string of pearls rests against her neck, their pale luster contrasting…

Portrait of Elizabeth Lady Monson (1665) od Peter Lely
5

Portrait of Elizabeth Lady Monson

1665 · Oil On Canvas · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

The room seems to quiet as Elizabeth Lady Monson meets the viewer's gaze. She sits in a three-quarter length pose, her body angled with a poise that speaks of a life lived within the high circles of the court. A deep, cerulean blue velvet gown envelops her, the heavy fabric catching the light in a way that suggests both weight and a soft, lustrous sheen. This intense blue cuts through…

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) (1653) od Peter Lely
6

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

1653 · Oil · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

This formal and somber seventeenth-century oil portrait depicts Oliver Cromwell in a bust-length composition. Positioned slightly off-center and looking toward the right of the frame, the subject is presented within a painted trompe l'oeil oval frame. The color palette is dominated by dark, earthy tones, including deep browns, blacks, and shadows, which contrast sharply against the bright white of the subject's collar and the metallic highlights of his armor.

Portrait of Lady Penelope Spencer (1660) od Peter Lely
7

Portrait of Lady Penelope Spencer

1660 · Oil On Canvas · Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis

The air feels heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming roses as Lady Penelope Spencer pauses in a quiet, shadowed landscape. She exists in a moment of poised stillness, her gaze meeting the viewer with a grace that suggests both high status and a gentle, private thought. The light, streaming from the upper left, washes over her skin with a soft, luminous glow, catching the delicate curve of…

Henrietta Maria královna Anglie (1660) od Peter Lely
8

Henrietta Maria královna Anglie

1660 · Akryl na plátně · Musée Condé, Chantilly

Sir Peter Lely (1618 – 1680), born in Soest, Westphalia, stands as a monumental figure in the annals of English art history. His artistic journey spanned continents, culminating in his establishment as the undisputed premier portrait painter to the English court during the waning years of the Stuart dynasty—a period marked by dramatic political upheaval and stylistic innovation.

Portrait of George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, English Admiral and Statesman (1675) od Peter Lely
9

Portrait of George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, English Admiral and Statesman

1675 · Oil On Canvas · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Portrait of George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, English Admiral and Statesman is an oil on canvas work by the artist Pieter Van Der Faes (Peter Lely). This portrait captures George Monk (1608-69), 1st Duke of Albemarle, in a moment of formal stillness. The paint holds the weight of a man defined by his titles and his service to the crown.

Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich (1660) od Peter Lely
10

Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich

1660 · Oil On Canvas · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich, is presented in a formal, full-length Baroque portrait that asserts his high social standing and political importance. He stands with an imposing presence, his figure slightly off-center against a dark, shadowy background. The composition utilizes a vertical arrangement to emphasize his stature. Light enters from the upper left, striking his face and the brilliant white satin of his garments, while the rest of the…

More Peter Lely masterpieces, 11 to 100

Sir Ralph Bankes (1660) od Peter Lely
#11

Sir Ralph Bankes

1660 · Yale Center for British Art

A young man sits suspended in a moment of quietude, his presence defined by the heavy, luminous folds of a golden ochre silk robe. The fabric catches a…

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Portrait Of Sir John Nicholas (1667) od Peter Lely
#13

Portrait Of Sir John Nicholas

1667 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

A three-quarter length portrait of a nobleman, positioned slightly off-center and leaning against a classical stone plinth. The subject, Sir John Nicholas, is rendered with a calm expression…

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Lady Diana Bruce (died 1672) (1665) od Peter Lely
#15

Lady Diana Bruce (died 1672)

1665 · Scottish National Gallery

In this 1665 portrait, we encounter Lady Diana Bruce in a moment of quiet, aristocratic poise. She is positioned in a three-quarter view, her silhouette emerging from a…

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Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans (1662) od Peter Lely
#18

Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans

1662 · National Portrait Gallery

The sitter, Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans, is presented in a three-quarter view within an oval-shaped format. She is positioned against a dark, shadowed background that pushes her…

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Portrait of a Lady (1659) od Peter Lely
#22

Portrait of a Lady

1659 · Buckingham Palace

This three-quarter length portrait presents a noblewoman positioned slightly off-center, creating a balanced yet dynamic arrangement. The subject is depicted with a sense of poised dignity, her skin…

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Henry Marten (Martin) (1650) od Peter Lely
#26

Henry Marten (Martin)

1650 · National Portrait Gallery

This portrait, titled Henry Marten (Martin), was executed by the artist Peter Lely. The work dates to about 1650. It depicts the subject, Henry Marten, in a bust-length…

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Sir Peter Lely (1660) od Peter Lely
#29

Sir Peter Lely

1660 · National Portrait Gallery

In this three-quarter length portrait, we encounter a man captured with a quiet, dignified presence. Painted by the hand of Peter Lely, the work dates to about 1660,…

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Simon Patrick (1680) od Peter Lely
#30

Simon Patrick

1680 · National Portrait Gallery

This oil on canvas portrait depicts Simon Patrick and was executed by the artist Peter Lely. The work is dated about 1668. It is held within the National…

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Portrait of a Lady. (1650) od Peter Lely
#32

Portrait of a Lady.

1650 · Národní muzeum ve Varšavě

In this 1659 portrait, we encounter a young woman emerging from a deep, near-black background. The composition is a bust-length study, positioned slightly off-center to create a sense…

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John Ogilby (1662) od Peter Lely
#33

John Ogilby

1662 · Bodleianské knihovny

This portrait of John Ogilby, executed by Peter Lely, offers a quiet glimpse into the likeness of a man of significant intellectual pursuits. Created in 1662, the work…

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The Letter (1650) od Peter Lely
#34

The Letter

1650 · Detroit Institute of Arts

A young woman reclines in a state of repose, her pale skin emerging from a dark, indistinct background through a dramatic use of chiaroscuro. Beside her, an older,…

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Bartholomew Beale (1670) od Peter Lely
#36

Bartholomew Beale

1670 · Dulwich Picture Gallery

This portrait of Bartholomew Beale, painted by Sir Peter Lely, captures a young man at a threshold of identity. Created about 1670, the work presents the son of…

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King James II (1667) od Peter Lely
#37

King James II

1667 · National Portrait Gallery

This oil on canvas portrait, titled King James II, was executed by the artist Peter Lely. The work is dated about 1667. It depicts a man, identified as…

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Abraham Cowley (1666) od Peter Lely
#47

Abraham Cowley

1666 · National Portrait Gallery

In this portrait, the poet Abraham Cowley is captured by the brush of Sir Peter Lely. The sitter emerges from a dark, heavy atmosphere, his presence defined by…

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Sir Edward Nicholas (1662) od Peter Lely
#48

Sir Edward Nicholas

1662 · National Portrait Gallery

This portrait by Peter Lely depicts Sir Edward Nicholas. Dated 1662, the work presents the subject as a man of significant political standing. Nicholas was an English officeholder…

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Henry Stone (1648) od Peter Lely
#84

Henry Stone

1648 · National Portrait Gallery

Henry Stone is a portrait executed by Peter Lely in 1648. The work captures the subject in a three-quarter length composition, presenting a formal study of character and…

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Peter Lely's paintings by period

The subjects Peter Lely painted most

The four subjects that return most often among these masterpieces, with the finest example of each.

Where to see Peter Lely's paintings

8 muzea, v nichž je umístěno nejvíce obrazů z této stránky.

Muzea Město Díla autora Peter Lely Obrazy z tohoto seznamu
National Portrait Gallery, LondýnNational Portrait Gallery Londýn 18 Queen Mary II, Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex; Elizabeth, Countess of Essex, George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
Petworth House, PetworthPetworth House Petworth 10 Lady Anne Percy, Lady Stanhope (1633-1654) or Lady Isabella Sydney, Viscountess Strangford (d.1663), The Three Younger Children of Charles I, Lady Elizabeth Percy, Lady Capel, later Countess of Essex (1636 - 1717/18)
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, BirminghamBirmingham Museum and Art Gallery Birmingham 6 Portrait of Elizabeth Lady Monson, Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Portrait Of Sir John Nicholas
Yale Center for British Art, New HavenYale Center for British Art New Haven 6 Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich, Sir Ralph Bankes, Diana Kirke, later Countess of Oxford
Ham HouseHam House 14 Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Dysart, later Duchess of Lauderdale (1626-1698), Sir William Compton (1625-1663), An Unknown Gentleman, called Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart (1649-1727)
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, EdinburghScottish National Portrait Gallery Edinburgh 8 James VII and II, when Duke of York, John Maitland, 2nd Earl and 1st Duke of Lauderdale, 1616 - 1682. Statesman, John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale, 1626 - 1697. Lord High Chancellor of Scotland
Hampton Court Palace, LondýnHampton Court Palace Londýn 11 Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester (1646-1687), Anne Hyde, Duchess of York (1637-71), Margaret Brooke, Lady Denham (ca 1647-67)
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne MinsterKingston Lacy Wimborne Minster 7 N. Wray, The Penitent Magdalen, Sir Ralph Bankes, MP (?1631-1677)

Peter Lely, decade by decade: the defining painting of each

  1. 1640s
    Diana and her Nymphs at a Fountain (1648) od Peter Lely
    #39 of 100

    Diana and her Nymphs at a Fountain

    Věk 22 – 31 · Yale Center for British Art

    The oil painting titled Diana and her Nymphs at a Fountain captures a moment of classical myth. It was executed by the artist Peter Lely. The work dates…

  2. 1650s
    Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) (1653) od Peter Lely
    #6 of 100

    Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

    Věk 32 – 41 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

    This formal and somber seventeenth-century oil portrait depicts Oliver Cromwell in a bust-length composition. Positioned slightly off-center and looking toward the right of the frame, the subject is…

  3. 1660s
    James VII and II, when Duke of York (1661) od Peter Lely
    No. 2 of 100

    James VII and II, when Duke of York

    Věk 42 – 51 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery

    In this commanding 1661 portrait, Sir Peter Lely captures the essence of a man destined for the throne: James VII and II during his tenure as the Duke…

  4. 1670s
    Queen Mary II (1677) od Peter Lely
    Rank 1 / 100

    Queen Mary II

    Věk 52 – 61 · National Portrait Gallery

    In this oil on canvas, Peter Lely captures Queen Mary II at a threshold of life and sovereignty. Painted about 1677, the portrait finds the subject at the…

  5. 1680s
    Simon Patrick (1680) od Peter Lely
    Rank 30 / 100

    Simon Patrick

    Věk 62 let · National Portrait Gallery

    This oil on canvas portrait depicts Simon Patrick and was executed by the artist Peter Lely. The work is dated about 1668. It is held within the National…

Peter Lely's masterpieces: questions and answers

Which painting is Peter Lely best known for?Show the answer

Queen Mary II (1677), National Portrait Gallery, Londýn. Next come James VII and II, when Duke of York (1661) and Portrait of a man, thought to be George Booth, Lord Delamere (1660).

How old was Peter Lely when painting Queen Mary II?Show the answer

59 years old: Queen Mary II dates from 1677 and Peter Lely was born in 1618.

What are Peter Lely's ten greatest paintings?Show the answer

Queen Mary II, James VII and II, when Duke of York, Portrait of a man, thought to be George Booth, Lord Delamere, Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester (1646-1687), Portrait of Elizabeth Lady Monson, Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Portrait of Lady Penelope Spencer, Henrietta Maria královna Anglie, Portrait of George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, English Admiral and Statesman a Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich. The ranking above gives the year and the museum of each.

How many works did Peter Lely paint?Show the answer

Our catalogue lists 240 works by Peter Lely, dated from 1640 to 1680.

In which museums can I see Peter Lely's masterpieces?Show the answer

Most of them are in National Portrait Gallery (Londýn), Petworth House (Petworth) a Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (Birmingham). The table above lists the museums one by one.

When did Peter Lely paint the masterpieces?Show the answer

In 1660s: 41 of the 100 works on this page date from then, among them James VII and II, when Duke of York.

What are the first and last famous paintings of Peter Lely?Show the answer

The earliest on this page is John Bainbridge (1582–1643) and daughter (1640), the latest Simon Patrick (1680).

What were Peter Lely's favourite subjects?Show the answer

Man (24), Woman (19) a Lace (12), among the 100 works on this page.

Which technique did Peter Lely favour?Show the answer

Oil On Canvas: 40 of the 100 works on this page.

What art movement is Peter Lely part of?Show the answer

Baroque style, as the paintings on this page show.

Which masterpieces by Peter Lely hang at the National Portrait Gallery?Show the answer

Queen Mary II, Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex; Elizabeth, Countess of Essex a George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham are among the 15 works on this page held by the National Portrait Gallery, Londýn.

Can I own a reproduction of a Peter Lely masterpiece?Show the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.

The life of Peter Lely

Sir Peter Lely: Malíř dvorských snů

Sir Peter Lely, narozen v roce 1618 ve vesnici Soest v Westfálsku, byl postavou, jejíž život i dílo prostoupaly dvěma kontinenty a nakonec ho ugruntovaly jako nejvýznamnějšího portrétního malíře anglického dvora v pozdní éře Stuartů. Jeho cesta začala uprostřed chaosu třicetileté války, přičemž jeho nizozemské dědictví formovalo uměleckou citlivost hluboce zakořeněnou jak v severoevropských tradicích, tak v tehdy rozkvétajícím barokním stylu. Po počáteční výchově v Haarlem u Pietersa de Grebbera, mistra Gildu svatého Lukáše, si Lely zdokonalil dovednosti v precizních technikách flamandského malířství – což byla záڪlad, která měla hluboce ovlivnit jeho ranou tvorbu. Přesto právě jeho přesun do Anglie kolem roku 1643 skutečně definoval jeho odkaz a proměnil jej ze zručeného řemeslníka v dvorského umělce a klíčovou postavu při formování anglické umělecké identity.

Raná léta a vlivy: Most mezi severem a jihem

Lelyho raná díla odhalují fascinující syntézu různých vlivů. V počátcích vytvářel mytologické a náboženské scény, často zasazené do idylických pastorálních krajin – styl, který připomínal dílo Anthonyho van Dycka, jenž se stal nesmírně populárním na anglickém dvoře před svou předčasnou smrtí v roce 1641. Tato díla projevují jasné obdivování Van Dyckových elegantních kompozic, vyvážených postav a mistrovského využití světla a stínu. Přesto však Lelyho malba disponuje i výrazně pozemskou kvalitou, která odráží tradice Haarlem a integruje prvky severoevropského realismu. Obzvláště silný byl jeho vliv nizozemského baroka, což je patrné na jeho pozornosti k detailu, živé paletě barev a dynamických uspořádáních. Politická nestabilita té doby, poznamenaná anglickou občanskou válkou, nepochybně formovala Lelyho umělecká rozhodnutí a vedla k posunu směrem k intimnějším portrétům, které zachycovaly osobnostní rysy lidí obdivujících se dvorskému životu. Dvorský malíř a královská patronáž: Počátek nové éry Po obnovení monarchie v roce 1660 zažívá Lelyho kariéra neuvěřitelný vzestup. Byl jmenován hlavním dvorským malířem krále Charlese II., což byla pozice, kterou dříve zastával právě Van Dyck, a to znamenalo jasné uznání jeho umělecké hodnoty i trvalého původu jeho stylu. Toto jmenování s sebou přineslo i významná privilegia, včetně štědrého příjmu a přístupu k královským sbírkám. Lelyho portréty se staly nesmírně populárními; zachycovaly podobu významných postav – od dvůrských šlechtiček až po členy královské rodiny. Jeho schopnost vykreslit subjekty s důstojností i šarmem upevnila jeho postavení nejvýznamnějšího malíře dvora. Zvláštní je, že namaloval i Olivera Cromwella a Richarda Cromwella, přičemž u toho prvního nabídl překvapivě upřímný portrét bývalého lorda protektora, čímž dokázal svou ochotu zachytit realitu spíše než pouhou idealizaci.

Styl a technika: Mistr světla a formy

Lelyho umělecký styl je charakteristický svou elegancí, grácií a neuvěřitelnou technickou zručností. Disponoval výjimečnou schopností vykreslit textilie s ohromující realističností – což se stalo trvalým znakem jeho portrétů – a jeho práce se světlem a stínem vytvářela pocit hloubky a atmosféry, který diváka zcela pohltil. Ačkoliv byl zpočátku ovlivněn vyváženým stylem Van Dycka, Lely si vyvinul robustnější a expresivnější styl, který svým postavám vdechoval osobnost a charakter. Jeho kompozice jsou často dynamické a poutavé, přičemž oko diváka přirozeně vedou k klíčovým prvkům v rámci obrazu. Byl také vášnivým sběratelem kreseb starých mistrů, což bezpochyby obohacovalo jeho porozumění anatomii, perspektivě a základním uměleckým principům.

Odkaz a historický význam

Vliv Sirry Petera Lelyho na anglické umění je nepopíratelný. Založil tradici dvorského portrétního malířství, která přetrvala generace a formovala vizuální reprezentaci moci a statusu v rámci monarchie. Jeho vliv však sahá daleko za pouhé technické dovednosti; pomohl podpořit smysl pro uměleckou sebevědomost a inovaci, čímž přispěl k rozkvětu umění během éry Restaurace. Ačkoliv se jeho styl někdy skláněl k repetitivnosti – což je vlastnost často připisovaná potřebě vytvářet množství portrétů pro potřeby dvora – Lelyho odkaz zůstává nezpochybnitelný jako dílo jednoho z nejdůležitějších a nejvlivnějších anglických malířů. Jeho tvorba je i nadále uctívána pro svou krásu, eleganci a hluboký vhled do lidské povahy, čímž si trvale zajistil své místo v dějinách umění jako „Malíř dvorských snů“.

Všechna díla od Peter Lely: 240 →