Peter LelyEnglish, 1618–1680Drawing
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Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- 8 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the work
The Dutch painter Peter Lely was the first artist in England to produce drawn (rather than painted) portraits. These were intended to be framed and hung in the same way as oil paintings, and they were highly regarded; an early writer remarked that they were ‘commonly reckon’d the most valuable of his Pieces, which were all done entirely by his own Hand, without any other Assistance’.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- DYCE.373
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 8 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Meanwhile, in the life of Peter Lely
The whole life1640s
Takes Van Dyck’s place at court
Anthony van Dyck, court painter to Charles I, died in 1641, and Lely succeeded him as the most fashionable portrait artist in England. In the service of Lord Northumberland he copied some of Van Dyck’s paintings.
1641–1680 · Workplace
London
1649–1660
Serves the Cromwells after the execution of Charles I
The execution of the king in 1649 did not interrupt his career: Lely served Oliver Cromwell, whom he painted “warts and all”, and Richard Cromwell.
1656 · Workplace
Amsterdam
1679
Knighted by Charles II
Charles II knighted the painter (other accounts give 1680). Soon afterwards Lely died at his easel in Covent Garden while painting a portrait of the Duchess of Somerset; it is believed he likely died after a stroke.
30 November 1680
Died
