First Lord Russell

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing by Sir Peter Lely a portrait of the First Lord Russell in a compact format measuring just under four inches tall. Lely, the leading court painter in Restoration England, was renowned for his elegant Baroque portraits of aristocrats and. Although undated, the work reflects his practice of creating preparatory studies that explored pose, expression, and light before committing to larger canvases. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush-applied wash and touches of white gouache over graphite, the drawing demonstrates Lely’s mastery of tonal modeling on a small scale. The layered media allow subtle transitions from shadow to highlight, lending the figure a sense of volume and presence despite the intimate size. Such works on laid paper were essential tools in an artist’s studio, preserving fleeting ideas and serving as references for finished paintings. Housed in the Prints and Drawings department of the Art Institute of Chicago, this study offers visitors a rare glimpse into Lely’s working process and the refined draftsmanship that underpinned his celebrated portraits.