작품 상세

Circle of Sir Peter Lely (Dutch/British, 1618-1680), "Portrait of a Lady at the Well, probably the Actress Nell Gwyn", oil on canvas, unsigned, 50" x 40". Presented in a later giltwood and gesso exhibition frame. Provenance: Private collection, New Orleans, Louisiana. It was during the reign of Charles II that women were allowed on London stage; before women's parts were played by boys and men. Nell Gwyn became one of the leading comedic actresses of Restoration England and her story of rags to royalty earned her a status of a folk heroine. She was a longtime mistress of Charles II by whom she has two sons, the elder becoming Duke of St. Albans.