"This group portrait is based upon a double portrait design by Lely of the Duke and Duchess of York, of which other versions exist, the finest being at Petworth. Lely presumably started a version in around 1668-70 which was also to include the Duke's two daughters. The figures and the curtain had probably only been blocked in by Lely before his death in 1680, after which Benedetto Gennari was commissioned to finish the composition.

The contrast between the two artist's approach to depicting costume is evident when comparing the plain brown silk satin dress of the Duchess of York, which is of a colour and simple construction favoured by Lely, with the clothing of Princess Mary, whose dress by contrast is of a densely brocaded blue silk with a pleated waistline and leading strings attached to the shoulders." [1]