Mary Beale
(1633-1699), Portrait painterLater Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 53 portraits
Daughter of a Suffolk clergyman, she married Charles Beale, an artist's colour-man, in 1652. A painter working professionally from the mid-1650s, Mary Beale produced numerous portraits, particularly of her family and friends, who included a number of prominent churchmen. She was a friend of Sir Peter Lely. Many details of her busy working life are recorded in the notebooks kept by her husband who acted as her studio assistant.
Watch a film clip on the artist recorded for the Gallery in the Media section below
acrylic on paper collaged on panels, 2021-2022
On display in Room 33 on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7145
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Mary Beale and Charles Beale the Younger
by Thomas Chambers (Chambars), after Mary Beale
line engraving, published 1762
NPG D30431
by Thomas Wright, after Mary Beale
stipple engraving, published 1820
NPG D30434
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