Portrait of Elizabeth Howard, Countess of Peterborough, bust-length, in a white dress

The present painting has been traditionally identified as a work by Sir Peter Lely although, it is in fact, derived from van Dyck's full-length portrait of Elizabeth, Countess of Peterborough that exists in several versions including those at Wilton House and Drayton House (see E. Larsen, The Paintings of Anthony van Dyck, Freren 1988, nos. 948 and 949, pp. 371-372.) Although there are no other known examples of Lely directly copying van Dyck's work, the influence of the latter on the former was key. A seventeenth century copy of a van Dyck Self-portrait has been convincingly attributed to Lely (formerly, London art market). Lely is known to have borrowed a number of compositions from van Dyck, while inheriting his position as the leading court painter in England.

Elizabeth was the daughter and sole heiress of William, Lord Howard of Effingham, who married sometime before 7 April 1621, John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough.

In a 17th Century carved giltwood frame.