Dorothy Jordan
(1761-1816), Actress; mistress of William IVDorothy Jordan (Mrs Jordan) (Dorothea Phillips)
Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 32 portraits
The Irish Mrs Jordan made her theatrical debut in England and was quickly hailed as London's leading comic actress. In 1790 she became mistress to the Duke of Clarence, afterwards King William IV. Despite the high-society scandal of their relationship, the actress and the Duke lived together for twenty contented years in which she bore him ten illegitimate children. She continued to act, often supporting the profligate Duke from her impressive income. Their life together ended cruelly in 1811 with the advent of the Regency and William's search for an official bride.
Dorothy Jordan as Peggy in David Garrick's 'The Country Girl'
by William Bromley, published by John Bell, after Samuel De Wilde
stipple, published 15th July 1791
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B7.03
Dorothy Jordan as Viola in 'Twelfth Night'
by Unknown artist
hand-coloured line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D20567
Dorothy Jordan as Priscilla Tomboy in 'The Romp'
published by Elizabeth Jackson, after Unknown artist
hand-coloured etching, published 22 April 1786
NPG D47415
Dorothy Jordan in the Character of the Comic Muse
by and published by Thomas Park, after John Hoppner
mezzotint, published 1 August 1787 (1786)
NPG D36742
Dorothy Jordan in the Character of the Comic Muse
by and published by Thomas Park, after John Hoppner
mezzotint, published July 1787 (1786)
NPG D36743
Dorothy Jordan as Lucy in 'The Virgin Unmasked'
by Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1787
NPG D4418
'Mrs Tomboy and The Irish Manager' (Dorothy Jordan; Richard Daly)
published by Archibald Hamilton Jr
etching, published 1 January 1787
NPG D14120
Dorothy Jordan in the character of the 'Country Girl'
by John Ogborne, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after George Romney
stipple engraving printed in colours, published 24 June 1788
NPG D8045
by John Ogborne, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 24 June 1788
NPG D8046
by John Ogborne, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 24 June 1788
NPG D15037
Dorothy Jordan as Hippolita in Cibber's 'She would and she would not'
by James Heath, published by William Lowndes, after Thomas Stothard
hand-coloured line engraving, published 2 April 1790
NPG D47418
by and published by John Jones, after John Hoppner
mezzotint, published 1 March 1791 (exhibited 1791)
NPG D3324
'The devil to pay; - the wife metamorphos'd, or Neptune reposing, after fording the Jordan'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 24 October 1791
NPG D13006
'Lubber's-hole, - alias - the crack'd Jordan' Dorothy Jordan; King William IV)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 November 1791
NPG D13007
'Vices overlook'd in the new proclamation'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 24 May 1792
NPG D12456
'La promenade en famille - a sketch from life'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 23 April 1797
NPG D12611
Dorothy Jordan as Clara in Kenney's 'Matrimony'
after Unknown artist
hand-coloured etching, circa 1800-1810
NPG D47417
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