Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
(1640-1709), Mistress of Charles IISitter in 35 portraits
The favourite mistress of Charles II during the 1660s, Barbara Villiers was a dominant presence both at court and in the public's imagination. She married Roger Palmer, later the Earl of Castlemaine, in 1659, and met Charles soon after. She was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen in spite of the latter's protests. Regarded as the foremost beauty of her day, she acquired great wealth and had at least five children with the King. She became a Catholic in 1663, dabbled in politics, and was implicated in the fall of Clarendon. She was made a Duchess in her own right in 1670, when her influence with the King was beginning to wane.
after Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, circa 1664
NPG 2564
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
after Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1666
On display at Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley
NPG 387
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by John Michael Wright
oil on canvas, circa 1670
NPG 5497
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1705, based on a work of circa 1705
NPG 427
by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 1862-1866
NPG Ax58928
by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 1862-1866
NPG Ax58929
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
after William Faithorne, after Sir Peter Lely
ink and wash, circa 1660-1680
NPG D20389
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by William Faithorne, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, 1666
NPG D22670
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland and Lady Barbara Fitzroy
attributed to Henri Gascar
mezzotint, 1670s
NPG D30499
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
published by Richard Tompson, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1678-1679
NPG D1471
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
published by Richard Tompson, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1678-1679
NPG D20377
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Robert Williams, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D21365
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1680-1684
NPG D11405
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Robert Williams, published by Edward Cooper, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1687)
NPG D15199
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Robert Williams, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1680-1700
NPG D18816
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by and published by Pieter Schenck, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1680-1710
NPG D19129
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D30496
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D1472
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D1473
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