DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0055
INTRODUCTION.
41
Painting* was neglected in this reign, except as far as it flattered
and was subservient to personal vanity. Accordingly we do not
find the name of a single good painter of history; while portrait-
painters abounded. Those who were chiefly employed by the
court, during the reign of Charles the Second, were Sir Peter
Lely, Huysman, Wissing, and Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Sir Peter Lely was a native of Soest, in Westphalia, where his
father, a captain of horse, was then in garrison. After studying
some time under an obscure painter of the name of Grebber, he
came to England in 1641. Though he painted Charles the First,
a short time before his downfall,*' and Cromwell more than once,
it does not appear that Lely enjoyed much celebrity till after the
Restoration. The gay cavaliers and beautiful women of Charles
the Second’s court were better suited to his taste, and more ap-
propriate subjects for his delicate and graceful pencil than the stiff
figures and stern puritanical visages of the Commonwealth. The
first Duchess of York, Anne Hyde, though a fine woman, was
not remarkable for her personal attractions : she was, however,
content to gratify the taste of the King’ and her husband in this
particular; and, in forming her court, after the acknowledgment of
her marriage, took pains to surround herself with all that was most
brilliant and fascinating in youth and beauty. Miss Jennings,f
Miss Temple,J and Miss Hamilton, were among the most conspi-
cuous ornaments of her court. She began the collection now
known as the “ Beauties of Windsor,” by commanding Sir Peter
Lely to paint for her the handsomest women of the time, com-
mencing with her own lovely Maids of Honour. The success with
which he executed this charming task, raised him at once to
reputation and to fortune. Every woman was emulous to have
her charms immortalized by his beauty-breathing pencil; and
lovers and poets were, for the first time, gratified by beholding
* This remarkable picture is now at Sion-House.
t Afterwards Duchess of Tyrconnel.
+ Afterwards Lady Lyttelton.
41
Painting* was neglected in this reign, except as far as it flattered
and was subservient to personal vanity. Accordingly we do not
find the name of a single good painter of history; while portrait-
painters abounded. Those who were chiefly employed by the
court, during the reign of Charles the Second, were Sir Peter
Lely, Huysman, Wissing, and Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Sir Peter Lely was a native of Soest, in Westphalia, where his
father, a captain of horse, was then in garrison. After studying
some time under an obscure painter of the name of Grebber, he
came to England in 1641. Though he painted Charles the First,
a short time before his downfall,*' and Cromwell more than once,
it does not appear that Lely enjoyed much celebrity till after the
Restoration. The gay cavaliers and beautiful women of Charles
the Second’s court were better suited to his taste, and more ap-
propriate subjects for his delicate and graceful pencil than the stiff
figures and stern puritanical visages of the Commonwealth. The
first Duchess of York, Anne Hyde, though a fine woman, was
not remarkable for her personal attractions : she was, however,
content to gratify the taste of the King’ and her husband in this
particular; and, in forming her court, after the acknowledgment of
her marriage, took pains to surround herself with all that was most
brilliant and fascinating in youth and beauty. Miss Jennings,f
Miss Temple,J and Miss Hamilton, were among the most conspi-
cuous ornaments of her court. She began the collection now
known as the “ Beauties of Windsor,” by commanding Sir Peter
Lely to paint for her the handsomest women of the time, com-
mencing with her own lovely Maids of Honour. The success with
which he executed this charming task, raised him at once to
reputation and to fortune. Every woman was emulous to have
her charms immortalized by his beauty-breathing pencil; and
lovers and poets were, for the first time, gratified by beholding
* This remarkable picture is now at Sion-House.
t Afterwards Duchess of Tyrconnel.
+ Afterwards Lady Lyttelton.