Sir Peter Lely was a Dutch-born artist who became the leading portrait painter of Restoration England. Born Pieter van der Faes in Soest, Netherlands, he studied art in Haarlem before moving to London in the 1640s. Lely quickly established himself as a successful portrait painter and was appointed court painter to King Charles II in 1661.Lely's portraits were known for their elegance, charm, and flattery. He painted many of the leading figures of the Restoration, including Charles II and his mistresses, as well as members of the royal court and aristocracy. He was also known for his skill at painting women, whom he depicted as sensuous and graceful. Lely was a key figure in the development of the "Glorious Beauties" style, which emphasized the beauty of court ladies and was popular in the mid-17th century. He also influenced other artists of the time, such as Godfrey Kneller and John Riley.After his death in 1680, Lely's reputation declined, and his style fell out of fashion. However, his work has since been reevaluated, and he is now recognized as one of the most important portrait painters of the 17th century.