Mary Capel (née Bentinck), Countess of Essex
4 of 7 portraits of Mary Capel (née Bentinck), Countess of Essex
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Mary Capel (née Bentinck), Countess of Essex
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1695
13 1/2 in. x 9 7/8 in. (342 mm x 252 mm) plate size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D31331
Sitterback to top
- Mary Capel (née Bentinck), Countess of Essex (1679-1726), Former wife of 2nd Earl of Essex, and later wife of Sir Conyers D'Arcy; daughter of 1st Earl of Portland. Sitter in 7 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
- John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Events of 1695back to top
Current affairs
Princess Anne, daughter of James II by Anne Hyde, and now heir apparent to the English throne, returns to court having retired two years previously over William III's dismissal of John Churchill and his wife, Sarah, Anne's closest companion.Art and science
William Congreve's comical farce, Love for Love, exemplifying the height of Restoration comedy, reopens Lincoln's Inn Theatre with a new actors' company led by actor Thomas Betterton. Its witty, sparking dialogue made it hugely popular with audiences.International
William III and Maximilian II Emanuel of Bavaria, commanding the army of the grand alliance, recapture Namur in the Spanish Netherlands from the French. Despite a period of victories, the Netherlands and England begin to struggle financially under the economic strain of the ongoing Nine Years' War.Comments back to top
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