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. It was said of Somerset, 'If he had not met with such a woman he might have been a good man.'
studio of William Larkin
oil on panel, feigned oval, circa 1615
On display in Room 16 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1955
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D28096
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D28097
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
line engraving, circa 1615
On display in Room 16 at the National Portrait Gallery
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 D19777
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, 1620s-1630s
NPG D6807
Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, 1714
NPG D21403
Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Frances, Countess of Somerset
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, 1714
NPG D25785
after Unknown artist, published by John Thane
line engraving, published 1793
NPG D28100
after Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D28098
by George Perfect Harding, after Isaac Oliver
stipple engraving, published 1802
NPG D28099
by Henry Richard Cook, published by Silvester Harding
stipple engraving, published 1810
NPG D28101
Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances, Countess of Somerset
by George Cruikshank, published by George Smeeton
etching, published 27 September 1817
NPG D25786
Possibly Frances, Countess of Somerset
after Unknown artist
hand-coloured gravure, early 20th century
NPG D21391
Possibly Frances, Countess of Somerset
after Unknown artist
photogravure, published 1902
NPG D42682
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
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, early 19th century (circa 1613)
NPG D17479
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