Code: 13048
This is a fabulous Stuart-period portrait miniature of a lady, named on the verso "Lady Lucy Percy," for Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle. Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle (1599–5 November 1660), née Percy, was an English noblewoman and courtier renowned for her beauty, wit, and role in the political intrigues of the early Stuart court. At the time of this portrait, she would have been in her early 40s and a widow. She was also the Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta Maria of France, wife of King Charles I. Queen Henrietta Maria, by John Hoskins in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, is contemporary with this portrait; you can clearly see the same hand in the fine curls of her hair, matched pearl earrings and pearl necklace. Hoskins painted many portraits of the Queen and her court, originally inspired by full-length paintings by Anthony van Dyck, who also painted Lucy Percy, Countess of Carlisle. This is a rare piece recently acquired from a private collection. The frame is a later 18th-century piece, and it appears to have been rehoused over time, though the portrait is a hand-painted original on vellum and set onto card; it is not signed, although the exceptional skill and quality of the work to me would suggest the artist to be John Hoskins, a fine portrait worthy of a professional appraisal!
OBJECT: Portrait Miniature
MATERIAL: Watercolour on vellum on playing-card
CULTURE: Stuart
DATE: c. 1640 - 1643 AD
SIZE: 72mm x 56mm (framed 92mm x 69mm)
WEIGHT: 33.85 grams
PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection. London.
