Girl with a Parrot c. 1670

Curator: Here we see Sir Peter Lely’s “Girl with a Parrot,” housed here at the Tate. Lely, who lived from 1618 to 1680, became a prominent portraitist, especially favored by the English court. Editor: The sheer shimmer of that dress! It’s all about the tactile—the silk, the girl’s bare feet. You can practically feel the textures. It speaks volumes about the material world of the sitter. Curator: Indeed. Lely’s portraits often served as displays of wealth and status during a time of social upheaval. That’s clearly visible in the sumptuous fabrics and even the exotic parrot. Editor: And the cherries! They appear to be a later addition. I wonder if they're intended as a symbol of fleeting pleasure or perhaps a reminder of consumption and its consequences. Curator: It's fascinating how Lely navigated the politics of imagery within that era of monarchy and courtly life. The presentation of innocence juxtaposed with luxury... intriguing. Editor: The labour involved in creating such a garment, and the labour to acquire and trade an exotic bird... it all reflects a complex system of production and privilege. Curator: Certainly gives one pause to consider what the portrait conceals, as well as what it reveals about the era. Editor: Absolutely, a rich and complex composition.