A Scots Lady

AttributedAttributed to Sir Peter Lely (Soest, Germany, 1618 - 1680)

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 76.3 cm, Width: 63.5 cm
Frame: Height: 97.6 cm, Width: 84.7 cm

AcquisitionBequeathed in 1896 by Mrs Duthie.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG002523

Keywords

About MeThis charming portrait is known as 'A Scots Lady' and is attributed to Sir Peter Lely. Lely was of Dutch origin, arriving in London in 1641, the year of van Dyck's death and Lely soon succeeded him as the most fashionable portrait painter in England.

However, the sitter's costume and hairstyle indicate a date of 1680-90, or perhaps later, which would rule out Lely as the artist, since he died in 1680. The attribution has been questioned - there are similarities between this portrait and some of those by Lely's successor, Sir Godfrey Kneller, but our portrait has a distinctly Scottish flavour in its naturalism. One possible attribution could be Kneller's rival, John Medina, who in 1694 moved from London to Edinburgh, having been persuaded by his Scottish aristocratic clients in London to paint their wives and families back home. The head is very finely painted indeed, as is the costume, but the author and the identity of the sitter remain a mystery.