Peter Lely was a Dutch painter who lived from 1618 to 1680. He was born in Soest, Netherlands, and studied under Pieter de Grebber in Haarlem. In 1641, he moved to England and became the court painter to King Charles I. After the king's execution, Lely continued to work for the royal family and was appointed as the principal painter to Charles II. Lely was known for his portraits of the English aristocracy, which were characterized by their elegance and sensuality. He was particularly skilled at capturing the beauty of women, and his paintings often featured them in flowing dresses and with loose, flowing hair. Lely's style was influenced by the Baroque and Dutch Golden Age, and he was known for his use of light and shadow to create depth and drama in his paintings. He was also a prolific artist, producing over 500 portraits during his career. Today, Lely is considered one of the most important portrait painters of the 17th century, and his works can be found in museums and private collections around the world.
