Study of two heralds in ceremonial dress of the Order of the Garter

This elaborate work belongs to a series of 31 drawings depicting the members of the Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry. The series was made shortly after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, possibly for an unrealized decorative scheme, most likely a tapestry series. They may have been inspired by an oil sketch of the same subject in Lely’s collection, painted by Anthony van Dyck, his predecessor in the role of Principal Painter to the King.