Lot 6: MATTHEW SNELLING

MATTHEW SNELLING FL. 1644-1670 PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH MAY, 1646 with dark brown hair dressed in ringlets, wearing a silver-embroidered pale yellow gown, pearl earrings and necklace, sky and landscape background signed inscribed and dated verso : MS / fe 1646 / Elizabeth May watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, held in a gilt-metal frame 6.5 by 5.2 cm.; 2 1/2 by 2 1/16 in.

Anonymous sale, Phillips London, The Connoisseur's Cabinet, 10 April 2001, lot 615

Elizabeth May was probably the daughter of Sir Humphrey May (1572-1630) and his second wife Judith (1598-1661), daughter of Sir William Poley. Her father was a prominent member of the court of Queen Elizabeth I, while her brother Baptist May (1628-1697) became a leading courtier and friend of King Charles II.