Live Auction 1138Old Master & British Paintings Day Sale
Sir Peter Lely (Soest, Westphalia 1618-1680 London)
Lot 234

Sir Peter Lely (Soest, Westphalia 1618-1680 London)

Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Elizabeth Murray, Lady Tollemache, later Countess of Dysart and Duchess of Lauderdale (1626-1698), half-length, in a blue dress and red wrap, wearing pearl earrings

Closed3 July 2013

Price Realised

GBP 15,000

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Sir Peter Lely (Soest, Westphalia 1618-1680 London)
Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Elizabeth Murray, Lady Tollemache, later Countess of Dysart and Duchess of Lauderdale (1626-1698), half-length, in a blue dress and red wrap, wearing pearl earrings
oil on canvas
26 1/8 x 21 1/8 in. (66.3 x 53.6 cm.)

Specialist note

William Murray was educated alongside Charles I at court, and as his whipping boy, took the punishment if the young prince misbehaved. They formed a lifelong friendship, during which Murray acted as advisor to the King, and Charles granted him the title of Earl of Dysart and the lease of Ham House. The sitter in this portrait has traditionally been identified as Murray's eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who inherited the title and later married Sir Lionel Tollemache (1624-1669), however, other portraits show her with a distinctive dimple in her chin. The portrait may show another of Murray's daughter's, possibly Margaret, later Lady Maynard (circa 1638-1682).