Mary Capel (1630–1715), Later Duchess of Beaufort, and Her Sister Elizabeth (1633–1678), Countess of Carnarvon 1652 - 1662

Sir Peter Lely painted these two sisters, Mary Capel and Elizabeth, using oil on canvas, a medium that allowed for rich textures and luminosity. Oil paint, made from pigment suspended in oil, gave Lely the ability to build up layers, creating a sense of depth and realism in the fabrics. The shimmering quality of their silk dresses, for instance, results from his skilled handling of the material. Consider the labor involved in producing these textiles – from silkworm cultivation to weaving and dyeing. These were costly materials, signifying the sisters’ wealth and social standing. Lely’s technique, layering paint and using glazes, mimics the opulence of the fabrics. The very act of painting becomes a demonstration of wealth and skill, mirroring the social status of his sitters. Understanding the materials and the making process allows us to appreciate the painting not just as a portrait, but as a material record of class, labor, and consumption in 17th-century England.