Portret van Peter Lely c. 1682 - 1688

Isaac Beckett created this mezzotint portrait of Peter Lely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the texture and form of Lely’s voluminous wig, which dominates the composition. The soft gradations of light and shadow give a tactile quality to the hair, contrasting with the smoother surfaces of his face and draped clothing. Here, Beckett masterfully employs mezzotint to explore notions of surface and depth, not just as a mimetic representation, but as an intellectual investigation into the nature of appearance versus reality. This relates to broader artistic and philosophical trends of the time that questioned fixed meanings and sought new ways of thinking about perception. Consider how Beckett manipulates the tonal range to create a sense of presence and absence, inviting us to question what is seen and unseen, real and constructed. The very act of interpreting this work involves an ongoing engagement with its form and its possible meanings.