Sir Peter Lely

three quarter length, standing, wearing military costume, with breastplate and red sash, holding a marshal's baton in his right hand, a cavalry skirmish beyond

Anonymous sale, Bukowski Stockholm, 25th April 1956, lot 357;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 29th March 1963, lot 108 (bt. Jenner);
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 19th July 1963, lot 48 (bt. Cristobal)

To be included in the forthcoming catalogue raissoné of Sir Peter Lely by Diana Detloff and Catherine MacLeod.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition and there are no areas of paint loss. There has however been an element of repainting to the background of the painting on the right hand side of the canvas. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals scattered retouching, particularly to the lower left of the canvas and to the left of the sitter's head. There is also a thick layer of discoloured varnish overall. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded period style frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the second son of the Royalist Sir Charles Berkeley of Bruton (1599-1668) and his wife Penelope (d. 1689), daughter of Sir William Godolphin of Godolphin in Cornwall. Born on 11^th January 1630 he was sent to serve the exiled Stuart court following the Civil War and was commissioned as a cavalry officer with James, Duke of York. Under York's command he saw considerable action, fighting first in the French and then the Spanish armies, becoming Groom of the Stole to the Prince, as well as a close friend. Following the Restoration he returned to England and was knighted by Charles II and promoted Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth, as well as receiving other honours bestowed for loyal service. Under York's patronage he was elected M.P. for New Romney in Kent, in 1661.

In 1664 he married the famous court beauty Mary Bagot, daughter of Colonel Hervey Bagot of Pipe Hayes, Warwickshire, Lady of Queen Catherine's bedchamber, described by Pepys as 'a pretty woman and pleasant in her looks'. In July 1663 he was raised to the Irish peerage as Baron Berkeley of Rathdowne and Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven. At court Berkeley became closely associated with the faction led by George Digby, 2^nd Earl of Bristol, as well as being intimate with the King's mistress Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine. In 1662, when Digby's faction came into favour in government, Berkeley was appointed Keeper of the Privy Purse and became one of the principal royal favourites, possibly the greatest. In March 1664 he was created Baron Botetourt of Langport and 1^st Earl of Falmouth and sent as envoy to Paris, partly due to his longstanding fondness for France. When war broke out with the Dutch Berkeley swiftly volunteered for service in the Royal Fleet and was killed by a cannon ball on board the Royal Charles in the first action of the war at Southwold Bay on 3^rd June 1665.

A somewhat boisterous character by nature Berkeley was not always regarded in the utmost favour at court. A devoted servant and affable companion to the royal brothers, he stood accused by many of encouraging what they considered the King's lechery and idleness. One of his more nefarious exploits involved a plot to disgrace York's wife, Anne Hyde, in an effort to negate the marriage, which many thought to be a disaster. Thought both ill-considered and tactless the episode appears to have had little effect on his relationship with either the King or his brother. Clarendon reported that, upon receiving news of Berkeley's death, 'those that knew his Majesty best, and had seen how unshaken he had stood in other very terrible assaults, were amazed at the flood of tears he shed upon this occasion'. A full biography of Berkeley's life can be found in The Kings Friend: A life of Charles Berkeley, Viscount Fitzhardinge, Earl of Falmouth (1630-1665) by Cyril Hughes Hartmann, 1951.