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Unknown man, formerly known as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

2 of 49 portraits of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Unknown man, formerly known as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

attributed to Cornelius De Neve
oil on canvas, 1627
25 7/8 in. x 24 1/8 in. (657 mm x 613 mm)
Purchased, 1903
Primary Collection
NPG 1346

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Cornelius De Neve (1612?-1678?), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait was once thought to represent the nobleman George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, a favourite of King James I. However, this identification has now been revised as the sitter's features bear little resemblance to other known portraits of Buckingham.
The identity of the sitter is not known but he is unlikely to be British. The distinctive orange sash is similar to those worn by officers of the Dutch army in the Netherlands who served under the Princes of Orange. It is therefore likely that this dashing man is an officer in the Dutch militia.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Cooper, Tarnya (introduction) Banville, John (character sketch) Chevalier, Tracy (character sketch) Fellowes, Julian (character sketch) McCall Smith, Alexander (character sketch) Pratchett, Terry (character sketch) Singleton, Sarah (character sketch) Trollope, Joanna (character sketch) Waters, Minette (character sketch), Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from December 2011 - June 2012), p. 17
  • Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 41
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 692

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1627back to top

Current affairs

The Five Knights Case. Judge, Sir John Bramston represents two of the 'knights', Sir Thomas Darnell and Sir John Havingham who refused to pay the forced loan imposed by Charles I. Bramston's application for a writ of habeas corpus was unsuccessful and the defendants remained imprisoned without trial.

Art and science

The tragicomedy, The Great Duke of Florence by playwright Philip Massinger, is licensed by Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels, to be performed by the queen's company at the Cockpit Theatre. The play is considered one of Massinger's best dramas.

International

Charles I sends forces commanded by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, to assist starving Huguenots rebels of La Rochelle, besieged by French king, Louis XIII's army. Villiers attempts to capture the French Atlantic fort of Île de Rhé, near Rochelle, but is forced to evacuate the island after three months.

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