Sir Edward Massey

Sir Edward Massey (c. 1604/9 -1674) was a Royalist who later took a seat in Parliament with the Presbyterian party to protest the favours shown to Roman Catholics. This is probably Lely's first full-length portrait of a non-royal sitter. The artist moved to England around 1643, settling in London shortly after the death of his only potential rival, Anthony van Dyck. During the Commonwealth, Lely produced several portraits of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), and with the Restoration, became court painter to Charles II (1630-1685).