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George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

(1628-1687), Statesman and dramatist

Sitter associated with 14 portraits
The son of James I's favourite, Buckingham fought for the royalist side during the Civil War and was exiled, but he later returned to England and married the daughter of the parliamentarian General Fairfax, in the hope of regaining his lands. At the Restoration he was favoured by Charles II, helped to engineer the downfall of Clarendon and became a member of the Cabal. Famous for his intrigues and immorality, he seduced the Countess of Shrewsbury and fought her husband in a duel in 1668. Described as 'one of the worst men alive', he was eventually dismissed from office in 1674. He wrote a number of witty satirical comedies.

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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, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by Robert White, after  Unknown artist - NPG D1131

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

by Robert White, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1679
NPG D1131

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by Robert White, after  Unknown artist - NPG D9656

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

by Robert White, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1679
NPG D9656

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by Robert White, after  Unknown artist - NPG D18996

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

by Robert White, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1679
NPG D18996

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, after Unknown artist - NPG D29388

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

after Unknown artist
line engraving, early to mid 18th century
NPG D29388

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after  Ignatius Joseph van den Berghe - NPG D26518

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Ignatius Joseph van den Berghe
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D26518

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by Robert Dunkarton, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D903

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

by Robert Dunkarton, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, published 1814
NPG D903

The Villiers Family, by William Greatbach, after  George Perfect Harding - NPG D26130

The Villiers Family

by William Greatbach, after George Perfect Harding
line engraving, probably mid 19th century
NPG D26130

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