Messages in a Portrait
'Portrait of Elizabeth, Lady Monson' By Sir Peter Lely (1661).
Click here for the interactive version!
Sir Peter Lely was a very successful artist. He was active during the reign
of Charles I and was appointed Principal Painter to Charles II. He painted
Lady Monson in 1661. Behind this fine-looking and well-behaved woman, lies
a very interesting story.
Her Story!
Lady Monson is sometimes considered to be one of the first feminists. She is famous for tying her husband, naked, to the bedpost and whipping him because she did not believe in his political views. All this was done with the help of her maids! He allegedly wanted to move to the Parliamentarian side and was prepared to sign a warrant for the death of Charles 1 in London!Of course during the whipping he agreed to abide by his wife but it is understood that he was later tried as a Regicide (King killer) in 1661 and he died in the Fleet prison.
The Messages
Her Facial Expression
Lady Elizabeth Monson is painted here with a very composed facial expression. By sitting upright and looking straight at the viewer, she gives off an off an atmosphere of self possession.
Her Clothes
Her blue velvet dress and pearl jewellery demonstrate her wealth along with the fashionable French style of the Restoration (the return of a constitutional monarchy in 1660).
The Frame
The frame is especially interesting. This was added over 100 years later. It is decorated with whips and the figure of justice is placed at the top.
The plaque
The plaque at the bottom of the frame reads:Did not a certain LADY whip,
Of Late her husbands own Lordship?
And though a grandee of the HOUSE,
Claw’d him with FUNDAMENTAL blows,
Ty’d him stark-naked to a bed-post,
And firked his hide as if sh-had ri-post,
And after in the SESSIONS Court,
Where WHIPPING’s Judg’d had honor fort.
Let's look at another portrait:
back
to top