An Unknown Lady

This painting of an unknown lady is typical of British portraiture of the late 17th and early 18th centuries and follows the style developed by leading artists such as Peter Lely, Godfrey Kneller and Michael Dahl. The sitter is depicted wearing a loose wide-necked gown, fastened low over a chemise. This was an imaginary style dress and would not have been worn in public. Instead it was developed by artists like Lely and Kneller and reflects the growing interest in Classical antiquity and mythology. It became fashionable during this period for women to be painted wearing ‘undress’, as in this portrait.