Artwork
Lucy Percy, Second Wife of James Hay, First Earl of Carlisle
Lucy Percy, Second Wife of James Hay, First Earl of Carlisle is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pieter de Bailliu. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pieter de Bailliu’s 1636 engraving presents Lucy Percy, the second spouse of James Hay, the first Earl of Carlisle. Executed as a print, the work captures the sitter in a formal pose, emphasizing her status through attire and bearing.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on Lucy Percy, highlighting her dignified expression and the elaborate dress that signals her aristocratic position. The serious demeanor reflects contemporary expectations of noble femininity and marital representation.
Technique & Style
Created through the engraving process, de Bailliu employed fine incised lines to render intricate details of fabric, jewelry, and facial features. The precise rendering of textures contributes to a lifelike quality characteristic of early‑17th‑century print portraiture.
History & Provenance
The image dates to 1636, a period when engravings served both as commemorative records and as means of disseminating aristocratic likenesses. Its attribution to de Bailliu aligns with his known output of portrait prints for English patrons.
Context
Lucy Percy’s marriage to James Hay linked two prominent families, and the portrait functioned within a network of visual affirmations of alliance and status. Engravings of this type were often circulated among peers to reinforce social connections.
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