Portrait of a woman of the Hill family, possibly Anne Hill

Head and shoulders portrait of Lady Hill inclined slightly left, looking out at the viewer. Her dress is typical of the 1650s. She wears an orange, boned bodice, with a low, off the shoulder neckline, lined with gauzy material. Her sleeves are full, held together with gemstone clasps, revealing the chemise below. Accessorised with a blue shawl and pearl jewellery, with hair styled in curls and ringlets at the side of her head, and a flat top bun, just visible.

Painted in a feigned oval. In a pine frame with lap joints, and floral and bead-shot design.

This portrait is suspected to depict Abraham Hill’s (1630-1732) first wife, Anne Whitelocke, whom he married in 1657.

Anne Whitelocke (1635-1661) was daughter of Bulstrode Whitelocke (1605-1675), a prominent parliamentarian. She married Abraham in November 1657 and lived with him and his parents at their house in Lime Street. She was mother of their two children, Frances (1658-1736) and Richard (1660-1721).

This portrait was accessioned without an artist attribution, however, clearly an imitator of Peter Lely (1618-1680). Lely’s portraits of the 1650s and 1660s emphasised satin decorated with drapery and a few jewels, and his women often appear in boned bodices that feature low, rounded necklines, as is visible here.