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George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

(1592-1628), Courtier; favourite of James I

Sitter associated with 49 portraits
Handsome and ambitious, Villiers was the most notorious of James I's favourites. From humble beginnings as cupbearer in the royal household, he rose with astonishing speed through the ranks of the aristocracy, becoming Duke of Buckingham in 1623. As one of the king's leading ministers, some of his administration was effective, but he was widely regarded as corrupt and extravagant. Villiers exercised great influence over both James I and his son Charles I, though was generally regarded with suspicion and dislike by the rest of the court, and as Lord High Admiral was blamed for a number of military failures. He was murdered by John Felton, a discharged officer of the navy in 1628.

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George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, by studio of William Larkin - NPG 3840

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

by studio of William Larkin
oil on canvas, circa 1616
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3840

The Duke of Buckingham and his Family, after Gerrit van Honthorst - NPG 711

The Duke of Buckingham and his Family

after Gerrit van Honthorst
oil on canvas, circa 1628, based on a work of 1628
NPG 711

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D16667

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D16667

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, by William Marshall, after  Unknown artist - NPG D1129

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

by William Marshall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1621-1628
NPG D1129

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, by William Marshall, after  Unknown artist - NPG D1166

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

by William Marshall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1621-1628
NPG D1166

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D33052

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33052

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D33055

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33055

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D33056

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33056

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D18724

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D18724

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, by Willem Jacobsz Delff, after  Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D19862

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

by Willem Jacobsz Delff, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
engraving, published 1626
NPG D19862

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, by William Faithorne, after  Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt - NPG D22656

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

by William Faithorne, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, circa 1650s
NPG D22656

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, published by Balthasar Moncornet, after  Unknown artist - NPG D16664

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1657
NPG D16664

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, published by Balthasar Moncornet, after  Unknown artist - NPG D16665

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1657
NPG D16665

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