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Frances, Countess of Somerset

(1590-1632), Famous beauty

Sitter associated with 18 portraits
A famous beauty, Frances Howard was divorced from Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex in 1613 and married Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, a favourite of James I. In 1615 she and her second husband, along with several accomplices, were convicted of poisoning Sir Thomas Overbury, who had opposed their marriage. Although the couple were imprisoned until 1621, they were later pardoned of their crime. History, and their contemporaries, judged Frances more harshly than her husband. It was said of Somerset: 'If he had not met with such a woman he might have been a good man'.

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Frances, Countess of Somerset, studio of William Larkin - NPG 1955

Frances, Countess of Somerset

studio of William Larkin
oil on panel, feigned oval, circa 1615
On display in Room 4 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1955

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances, Countess of Somerset, attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by  John Hinde - NPG D25783

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances, Countess of Somerset

attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by John Hinde
line engraving, circa 1615
NPG D25783

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset, attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by  John Hinde - NPG D1316

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset

attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by John Hinde
line engraving, circa 1615
NPG D1316

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset, attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by  John Hinde - NPG D19777

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset

attributed to Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), sold by John Hinde
line engraving, circa 1615
NPG D19777

Frances, Countess of Somerset, after Unknown artist, published by  John Thane - NPG D28100

Frances, Countess of Somerset

after Unknown artist, published by John Thane
line engraving, published 1793
NPG D28100

Frances, Countess of Somerset, by Henry Bone, after  Unknown artist - NPG D17479

Frances, Countess of Somerset

by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, early 19th century (circa 1613)
NPG D17479

Frances, Countess of Somerset, after Simon de Passe - NPG D28098

Frances, Countess of Somerset

after Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D28098

Frances, Countess of Somerset, by George Perfect Harding, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D28099

Frances, Countess of Somerset

by George Perfect Harding, after Isaac Oliver
stipple engraving, published 1802
NPG D28099

Frances, Countess of Somerset, by Henry Richard Cook, published by  Silvester (Sylvester) Harding - NPG D28101

Frances, Countess of Somerset

by Henry Richard Cook, published by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 1810
NPG D28101

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances, Countess of Somerset, by George Cruikshank, published by  George Smeeton - NPG D25786

Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances, Countess of Somerset

by George Cruikshank, published by George Smeeton
etching, published 27 September 1817
NPG D25786

Unknown couple, called Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset, by James Donald Milner, probably after  Paul van Somer - NPG D21673

Unknown couple, called Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset

by James Donald Milner, probably after Paul van Somer
pencil on tracing paper, 1 December 1911
NPG D21673

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