Peter Lely : a lyrical vision

Small exhibition at the Courtauld gallery looking at the early work of Peter Lely, the 17th century painter.

These early works were mainly pictures of love, music and mythology rather than the portraits he is better known.

I must admit I found the works rather insipid if not verging on the bad in the case of “Reuben presenting mandrakes to Leah” which seemed to be a study in chubbiness! Other were almost 17th soft porn such as one of voyeuristic nymphs by a fountain.

This was still a good exhibition as it gave a view of the artist’s work I didn’t know before but thank goodness the Windsor Beauties came along and saved his career!

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