Search the Collection

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)

(1776-1852), Mistress of the Duke of York

Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 8 portraits
From 1803 to 1806, Mary Anne Clarke was mistress of Frederick, Duke of York. Their affair turned into a political scandal when the Duke was charged with corruption for promoting officers from whom Clarke had taken bribes. Renounced by the Duke, Clarke proved to be an adept political operator, writing her own revealing memoirs and extracting huge pensions from the government to keep them suppressed.

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson), by Adam Buck - NPG 2793

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)

by Adam Buck
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, 1803
NPG 2793

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson), by Lawrence Gahagan - NPG 4436

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)

by Lawrence Gahagan
marble bust, 1811
On display in Room 15 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4436

York Commission Warehouse (Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson); Domenico Corri), attributed to Charles Williams - NPG D1371

York Commission Warehouse (Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson); Domenico Corri)

attributed to Charles Williams
coloured etching, published 1809
NPG D1371

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson), by Charles Williams, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D43325

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)

by Charles Williams, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 25 February 1809
NPG D43325

'Pandora opening her box', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12917

'Pandora opening her box'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 22 February 1809
NPG D12917

'Overthrow of the Republican-Babel', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12921

'Overthrow of the Republican-Babel'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1809
NPG D12921

Mrs Clarke the York Magnet. (Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)), by Unknown artist - NPG D13786

Mrs Clarke the York Magnet. (Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson))

by Unknown artist
hand-coloured aquatint, published 1809
NPG D13786

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson), by William Hopwood, published by Thomas Gillett, after Thomas Rowlandson - NPG D20228

Mary Anne Clarke (née Thompson)

by William Hopwood, published by Thomas Gillett, after Thomas Rowlandson
stipple engraving, published 4 July 1809
NPG D20228

Category

Groups

Places

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

Christopher Markwick

08 February 2019, 20:03

Great-great-grandmother of Daphne du Maurier and subject of her novel, Mary Anne.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.