English Portrait Of A Noble Woman From The 17th Century Circa 1655 - By John Hayls (1600-1679)

A rare, small-scale portrait of a young noblewoman from the 17th century, by John Hayls (1600-1679). The noble female model, still unknown, stands at bust height against a rock in the middle of a vast landscape. She is expensively dressed in brightly colored silk clothing, very fashionable and high status of the time. Her costume has a low, wide neckline that reveals her cleavage, it also has cut sleeves with jeweled fastenings and a brooch set with gems and pearls on her chest. Her lush curls are pinned back, with a single curl at the center of her forehead while others fall over her bare shoulder. Her look is completed with large pearl earrings and a large single strand pearl necklace. With her jeweled dress, earrings, and necklace, it is clear that this noble lady had wealth in abundance. John Hayls (1600-1679) John Hayls (pronounced Hales) was one of the most talented portrait painters of mid-17th century Britain. Despite this, it is perhaps surprising that so few details of his life have survived. The portrait of diarist Samuel Pepys (now in the National Portrait Gallery) is the most enduring image of this infamous and iconic figure of the Restoration period. Like so many others from this period, Hayls's portraits were largely inspired by the works of the prolific Sir Anthony Van Dyck, whose death in 1641 kicked off a new generation of painters. This portrait of an unknown woman is no exception to the rule. The dramatic pose, the drapery and the decor demonstrate a great debt to the tone set by Van Dyck some forty years before the creation of this work. Although unsigned, the attribution to Hayls is particularly evident in the painterly style executed on the canvas. The combination of fine and soft glazes, particularly evident on the face, contrasting with the mastery of the draping, is typical of the artist's work. The same goes for the landscape to the left of the model, which is strongly reminiscent of other works by the painter. Portraits like these recall the growing competition between painters during the reign of Charles II. Artists like Dutch-born Sir Peter Lely, who also excelled in this three-quarter format, presented a significant challenge to English painters like Hayls. . Hayls is known to have missed out on at least one important commission for the Guildhall judges, an honor which ultimately went to fellow Briton John Michael Wright. The painter's untimely end came in 1679, where it was recorded that "while leaving the necessary house, he fell dead in the garden. He was dressed in a velvet suit to go to a mayor's party. I am very grateful to Diana Delthoff, Catharine Macleod and David Taylor for confirming the attribution to this artist based on the images presented here. High resolution images on request. Worldwide delivery available. Panel: 12.25" x 9.75" / 31.5cm x 24.5cm. Framed: 19" x 17" / 49 cm x 43 cm.