Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland with her son, probably Charles FitzRoy, as the Virgin and Child
1 of 35 portraits of Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland







© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland with her son, probably Charles FitzRoy, as the Virgin and Child
after Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, circa 1664
69 in. x 45 in. (1752 mm x 1143 mm)
Bequeathed by Harold Lee-Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon, 1933
Primary Collection
NPG 2564
Sittersback to top
- Charles FitzRoy, Duke of Cleveland (1662-1730), Illegitimate son of Charles II. Sitter associated with 2 portraits.
- Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709), Mistress of Charles II. Sitter in 35 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Macleod, Catharine; Alexander, Julia Marciari, Painted Ladies: Women at the Court of Charles II, 2001 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 11 October 2001 to 6 January 2002), p. 124
- Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 99
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 129
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1664back to top
Current affairs
The Coventicle Act, a component of the Clarendon Code, is enacted by Parliament forbidding non-conformist conventicles.The Admiral's Regiment, precursor to the Royal Marines, meets for the first time as part of the mobilisation for war with the Dutch.
Art and science
Playwright, Thomas Killigrew, stages his best-known play, The Parson's Wedding with an all-female cast. After the Restoration, women were permitted to take to the stage as actors.Construction of the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford begins. Designed by architect, Christopher Wren, the building is funded Archbishop Sheldon.
International
Mounting pressure for war with England's trading rival, Holland, increases as the two countries clash over trading interests around the world. Thomas Clifford, Baron Clifford, passionately champions the cause for war, becoming a leading voice in a bellicose parliament which promises an unprecedented grant towards the conflict.Tell us more back to top
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Related pages
- Alexander Browne and Richard Tompson
- Duchess of Cleveland Appeal
- Barbara Villiers
- Painted Ladies: Women at the Court of Charles II
- Restoration Lives: Samuel Pepys and His Circle
- Handlist of names in the Reference Collection
- Handlist of names in the Reference Collection - M-Z
- Catherine Sedley
- 2018 Anniversaries
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