Henry Cavendish (1630–1691), 2nd Duke of Newcastle 1676

Mary Beale painted this portrait of Henry Cavendish, the 2nd Duke of Newcastle, using oil on canvas, during the late 17th century. Our gaze is immediately drawn to the Duke's elaborate wig, its cascading curls framed by a painted oval. Beale's focus is on texture and light, creating an almost palpable sense of the wig's soft volume. This concentration on surface and form reflects a broader interest in the period with appearances and the performative aspects of identity. The sharp contrast between the Duke's pale complexion, the wig, and his dark attire creates a visual tension, emphasizing the constructed nature of aristocratic identity. The composition, while conventional for its time, shows Beale's interest in how the artifice of portraiture can both reveal and conceal the sitter's true nature. The portrait acts as a signifier of status, yet it also invites us to consider the ways in which individuals shape their public image.