Lely, SIR PETER

Lely, SIR PETER, painter, was the son of Captain Van der Faes, nicknamed Du Lys, or Lely, from having been born in a house the front of which was decorated with a fleur-de-lis. The future painter was born at Soest, in Westphalia, in 1618. He settled in London in 1641 and took to portrait-painting, having hitherto essayed landscapes and historical subjects. He was employed successively by Charles I., Cromwell, and Charles II., the last of whom nominated him court-painter and conferred on him the honour of knighthood. From the death of Vandyck he was the first painter of the day in England down to the arrival of Kneller. Lely, 'a mighty proud man, and full of state' (Pepys), had great skill in execution, especially in painting female portraits, though he failed to master the secrets of individuality. His best-known pieces, apart from portraits of his royal patrons, are the Beauties of the court of Charles II. at Hampton Court. He died in London in 1680.