L a - b e a u t é - s a u v e r a - l e - m o n d e ~ D o s t o ï e v s k i

L a - b e a u t é - s a u v e r a - l e - m o n d e  ~  D o s t o ï e v s k i



Friday, August 19, 2016

Three charming ladies of the 1670s


Elisabeth Tallyarde, by Godfried Schalcken, 1679.
I love her earrings; certainly crystal, they look exactly like pendants intended for a chandelier - but beautifully painted.
I find her glove quite curious.
Princess Teresa Pamphilj Cybo, by Jacob Ferdinand Voet, circa 1673.
A knowing glance.
A most graceful gesture of the hand, and dizzying detail.
Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, Countess of Portmore, by Sir Peter Lely, circa 1675.
I love the - certainly unintentional - variation in the blue pigments of her drapery.
Even though Lely was a crude and repetitive painter - and all his women look peculiarly alike - I still find this portrait captivating.




3 comments:

  1. Is Catherine Sedley pointing at something? It is unclear what it might be -- an inscription?

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    Replies
    1. I don't think she's actually trying to indicate anything. Lely's subjects did a lot of vaguely dramatic - but pointless - gesturing. ; )

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  2. Elisabeth's glove is skin tight so I wonder if she can roll down the fingers for eating?

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