DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0057
INTRODUCTION.
43
authority for believing* in the accuracy of his likenesses. lhe
loose undress in which many of his female portraits are arrayed,
or rather disarrayed; came into fashion as modesty went out;
and virtue was voted “ une impertinence/’ The soft sleepy eye; —
“ Seeming to slum the rudeness of men’s sight,
And shedding a delicious lunar light,”
appears to have been natural to one or two distinguished beauties
of the time; who led the fashion; and carried to an extreme by
others; who wished to be in the mode. We are told that the lovely
Mrs. Hyde* had; by long* practice; subdued her glances to such a
languishing tenderness; that her eyes never opened more than
those of a Chinese. We may imagine the fair and indolent Mid-
dleton, the languishing Miss Boynton; or the insipid Miss Blague;
cc aux blondes paupiereS;” with these drooping lids and half-shut
glances; but it must have cost the imperious Castlemaine; the
brilliant JenningS; and the sprightly Hamilton; no small effort to
veil their sparkling orbs in compliance with the fashion; and affect
an insidious leer or a drowsy languor. With them it must have
been an exquisite refinement of coquetterie; a kind of demi jour,
g-iving* to the raised lid and full soul-beaming* eye an effect like
that of unexpected light— dazzling; surprising; overpowering.
Sir Peter Lely painted some history pieces; which have the
same merits and defects as his portraits: the defects; however;
predominate. He also drew finely in crayons: some exquisite
pieces of his; in this style; are still extant. He was knighted by
Charles the Second; and; like his predecessor Vandyke; married a
beautiful English woman of high family : like him; too; he was
remarkable for his graceful and courtier-like manners; for the
splendour of his house and equipage, and for keeping* a sumptuous
table. He spent thirty-nine years in Engand; and during twenty
he was confessedly at the head of his profession. He died suddenly
in 1680; while painting that beautiful Duchess of Somerset; whose
portrait is in this collection.
* Theodosia Capel, afterwards Lady Clarendon.
43
authority for believing* in the accuracy of his likenesses. lhe
loose undress in which many of his female portraits are arrayed,
or rather disarrayed; came into fashion as modesty went out;
and virtue was voted “ une impertinence/’ The soft sleepy eye; —
“ Seeming to slum the rudeness of men’s sight,
And shedding a delicious lunar light,”
appears to have been natural to one or two distinguished beauties
of the time; who led the fashion; and carried to an extreme by
others; who wished to be in the mode. We are told that the lovely
Mrs. Hyde* had; by long* practice; subdued her glances to such a
languishing tenderness; that her eyes never opened more than
those of a Chinese. We may imagine the fair and indolent Mid-
dleton, the languishing Miss Boynton; or the insipid Miss Blague;
cc aux blondes paupiereS;” with these drooping lids and half-shut
glances; but it must have cost the imperious Castlemaine; the
brilliant JenningS; and the sprightly Hamilton; no small effort to
veil their sparkling orbs in compliance with the fashion; and affect
an insidious leer or a drowsy languor. With them it must have
been an exquisite refinement of coquetterie; a kind of demi jour,
g-iving* to the raised lid and full soul-beaming* eye an effect like
that of unexpected light— dazzling; surprising; overpowering.
Sir Peter Lely painted some history pieces; which have the
same merits and defects as his portraits: the defects; however;
predominate. He also drew finely in crayons: some exquisite
pieces of his; in this style; are still extant. He was knighted by
Charles the Second; and; like his predecessor Vandyke; married a
beautiful English woman of high family : like him; too; he was
remarkable for his graceful and courtier-like manners; for the
splendour of his house and equipage, and for keeping* a sumptuous
table. He spent thirty-nine years in Engand; and during twenty
he was confessedly at the head of his profession. He died suddenly
in 1680; while painting that beautiful Duchess of Somerset; whose
portrait is in this collection.
* Theodosia Capel, afterwards Lady Clarendon.