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 killed 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.
The Duke of Buckingham and his Family
after Gerrit van Honthorst
oil on canvas, (1628)
On display in Room 5 at Montacute House
NPG 711
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, circa 1675
On display in Room 7 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 279
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by Robert White
line engraving, 1679
NPG D26513
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
line engraving, published 1679
NPG D9656
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by Isaac Beckett, after Simon Verelst
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D1130
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 Charles Hall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D29389
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham; Lord Francis Villiers
by James Macardell, after Sir Anthony Van Dyck
mezzotint, 1752 (1635)
NPG D32286
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Lord Francis Villiers
by James Macardell
mezzotint, 1752
NPG D28164
by William Greatbach, after George Perfect Harding
line engraving, probably mid 19th century
NPG D26130
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by Silvester 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
mezzotint, published 1814
NPG D903
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by Robert White, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1679
NPG D18996
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Politics, Government and Diplomacy
Groups
Playwrights and dramatists
Place
Buckinghamshire
Thematic collections
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