Two Ladies of the Lake Family c. 1660

Curator: Ah, yes, "Two Ladies of the Lake Family" by Sir Peter Lely. Lely, who was born in 1618, was Principal Painter to the king. Editor: The painting gives off a rather subdued, contemplative air, doesn't it? It's as if the music has just ended, and they are both lost in thought. Curator: This canvas, held here at Tate Britain, speaks to the performative aspects of courtly life during the Restoration period. The figures' clothing and demeanor express status and taste. Editor: The textures, especially that blue satin gown, are so luscious. You can almost hear the rustle of the fabric and feel the velvet curtain against your skin. It really draws you in. Curator: Certainly. The artist's skill is evident, and it illustrates how portraiture served to solidify social standing in 17th-century England. Editor: I like that it provides me with an intimate, quiet moment. I could easily imagine the untold stories contained within that one instant in time. Curator: Exactly. The layers of narrative and visual representation show how art and society interacted. Editor: It makes you consider the silence as an art form in its own right.