1 OF 35

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

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.

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