Queen Mary II As Diana – Peter Lely’s Studio, 17th Century

Mary II (1662-1694) here is depicted as the Roman goddess, Diana, the goddess of hunting; in this guise she carries a bow, wears a crescent moon and is followed by a greyhound. Her rich silk gown recalls the dresses worn by the Windsor Beauties series in the Royal Collection painted by Lely. The landscape background reminds us of the work of Titian, whom the artist admired.

Sir Peter Lely (born Pieter van der Faes) was a painter of Dutch origin who spent nearly all of his career in England, where he became the dominant portrait painter to the court. Born in Soest in 1618 to a distinguished Utrecht family, Lely trained in Haarlem before travelling to London in 1634, in association to Prince William II of Orange's marriage to the Princess Royal, Mary. Lely was also documented to have painted the children of Charles I in 1647, whilst the king was in custody during the Civil War.

After the return of Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy, Lely was appointed Principal Painter to the king and enjoyed a highly successful career at court, producing portraits of the leading figures of the day