Peter LelyEnglish, 1618–1680Frans Mercurius van Helmont
Can I see it?
Unknown
Where is “Frans Mercurius van Helmont” now? Collection: The National Gallery, London. Unknown.
London, United Kingdom
The owner is known; whether it is on view today is not.
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- NG3583
In the catalog
Sources
- Wikidata
- Image: The National Gallery — Peter Lely · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
In the life of Peter Lely
The whole life1641–1680 · Workplace
London
after 1660
A large workshop and mezzotint prints
Demand was high and Lely’s large workshop was prolific: after Lely painted a sitter’s head, his pupils would often complete the portrait in one of a series of numbered poses. Realising that the mezzotint could publicise his portraits, he encouraged Dutch mezzotinters to come to Britain to copy his work, laying the foundations of the English mezzotint tradition.
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
