Sir Peter Lely

Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare

c.1679

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

In Tate Britain

Walk Through British Art: 1650

Free entry
Artist
Sir Peter Lely 1618–1680
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 1234 x 1000 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 1955
Reference
T00070

Display caption

Elizabeth Jones, eldest daughter of the 1st Earl of Ranelagh, was one of the great beauties of the Restoration court. The orange blossom that she holds, and the cupids on the pot to the left, may refer to her readiness to marry. However, in the late 1670s, when it is thought this painting was made, she was rumoured to be mistress to Charles II. She was not to marry the Earl of Kildare until 1684. Citrus fruits were a rare and expensive food, the plants cultivated by only the wealthiest households.

Gallery label, February 2016

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Baroque Court Later Stuart Netherlands-trained, working in Britain

Features

Sir Peter Lely, ‘Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare’ c.1679

Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare c.1679: By Sir Peter Lely

Rica Jones and Joyce H. Townsend

Read technical information about this painting resulting from examination and scientific analysis by conservators and conservation scientists at Tate

Explore

You might like

Sir Peter Lely, ‘Girl with a Parrot’ c.1670

Sir Peter Lely Girl with a Parrot

c.1670
N01016
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Two Ladies of the Lake Family’ c.1660

Sir Peter Lely Two Ladies of the Lake Family

c.1660
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00058
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Portrait of an Unknown Woman’ c.1670–5

Sir Peter Lely Portrait of an Unknown Woman

c.1670–5
T00755
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Frans Mercurius van Helmont’ 1670–1

Sir Peter Lely Frans Mercurius van Helmont

1670–1
N03583
John Michael Wright, ‘Portrait of Mrs Salesbury with her Grandchildren Edward and Elizabeth Bagot’ 1675–6

John Michael Wright Portrait of Mrs Salesbury with her Grandchildren Edward and Elizabeth Bagot

1675–6
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T06750
Gilbert Soest, ‘Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk’ c.1670–5

Gilbert Soest Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk

c.1670–5
T00746
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Portrait of John Banckes’ 1676

Sir Godfrey Kneller Portrait of John Banckes

1676
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T05019
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Philip, 4th Lord Wharton’ 1685

Sir Godfrey Kneller Philip, 4th Lord Wharton

1685
T12029
John Hayls, ‘Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan’ 1655–9

John Hayls Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan

1655–9
T06993
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Susanna and the Elders’ c.1650–5

Sir Peter Lely Susanna and the Elders

c.1650–5
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00452
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘The First Marquess of Tweeddale’ 1695

Sir Godfrey Kneller The First Marquess of Tweeddale

1695
N03272
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘John Smith the Engraver’ 1696

Sir Godfrey Kneller John Smith the Engraver

1696
N00273
John Riley, ‘James Sotheby’ c.1690

John Riley James Sotheby

c.1690
T00057
Jan Siberechts, ‘Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames’ c.1690

Jan Siberechts Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames

c.1690
T00899
Jacob Huysmans, ‘Portrait of a Lady, as Diana’ ?c.1674

Jacob Huysmans Portrait of a Lady, as Diana

?c.1674
T00901