Peter LelyEnglish, 1618–1680Portræt af en dame
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Portræt af en dame” now? Collection: SMK — National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Copenhagen, Denmark
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- KKSgb7487
In the catalog
Sources
- SMK
- Image: SMK — National Gallery of Denmark — public domain
In the life of Peter Lely
The whole life14 September 1618
Born
6 October 1637 · Workplace
Haarlem
1640s
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.
c. 1643
Moves to London in search of commissions
In the 17th century portrait painting in England was still done exclusively by foreign masters, who found patrons at the royal court, and Lely went there looking for commissions. His early English works — mythological and religious scenes and portraits set in a pastoral landscape — show the influence of Van Dyck and the Dutch baroque.
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
