First Lord Russell n.d.

Sir Peter Lely's "First Lord Russell" is a pen and wash drawing housed in the Art Institute of Chicago. It is a study for a larger portrait and depicts a young man in a fashionable coat with his hair styled in the popular, voluminous curls of the 17th century. This drawing exemplifies Lely's mastery of capturing both likeness and character. The drawing's relatively small size and informal style are typical of preparatory sketches. Lely was a prominent English portrait painter, known for his elegant and refined portraits of the aristocracy. This drawing, though a preparatory study, showcases his ability to convey detail and personality in a compact format.