Mary Beale (1632/3-1699) was one of the best known women painters in England in the late 17th Century. She was a friend of Sir Peter Lely who encouraged her and allowed her to study works in his collection. Her husband Charles Beale (1631-1705) was Deputy Clerk of the Patents and helped her in becoming an expert on artist's colours. Their youngest son Charles (1660-c. 1714) was also a painter, particularly of miniatures; see lots 43-4.