Study for a Portrait of a Woman

This unfinished study by Peter Lely from the 1670s provides a fascinating glimpse into his portrait production method during his years as principal painter to Charles II. Lely ran a highly efficient studio system where he painted the faces of sitters while assistants completed draperies and backgrounds. This study, likely made during a sitting, shows the master's hand capturing the essential likeness before the studio completed the work.

The sketch-like quality reveals Lely's fluid, confident brushwork in laying in flesh tones and features with rapid, accurate strokes. The unfinished areas expose the warm brown ground preparation, demonstrating his working method of building form from a toned surface.