Mary Capel (1630–1715), Later Duchess of Beaufort, and Her Sister Elizabeth (1633–1678), Countess of Carnarvon

Sir Peter Lely painted this double portrait of Mary Capel and her sister Elizabeth in 1652, before he became the dominant portrait painter at the court of Charles II. The Capel sisters came from a prominent Royalist family; Mary later became Duchess of Beaufort and Elizabeth the Countess of Carnarvon. This early work shows Lely transitioning from his Dutch-influenced style to the more fluid, sensuous manner that would define English court portraiture for a generation.

Lely's oil technique demonstrates his Van Dyckian training in the silvery palette and elegant handling of silk fabrics. The double composition allows him to create a visual dialogue between the sisters while maintaining the graceful, relaxed poses that became his signature.