Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland







© National Portrait Gallery, London
- Buy a print
- Use this image
- Share this
Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
9 5/8 in. x 7 1/2in. (243 mm x 190 mm) plate size; 11 1/4 in. x 8 1/8 in. (285 mm x 206 mm) paper size
Given by Henry Witte Martin, 1861
Reference Collection
NPG D1473
Sitterback to top
- Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709), Mistress of Charles II. Sitter in 35 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Isaac Beckett (1652 or 1653-1688), Engraver. Artist associated with 184 portraits.
- Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
- John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D1472: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
- NPG D11617: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
- NPG D1474: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
- NPG D20042: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
- NPG D30496: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
Events of 1681back to top
Current affairs
Third Exclusion Parliament meets in Oxford avoiding disruption in Whig-dominated London. Charles II refuses Exclusionists's proposal that James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, his illegitimate son with Lucy Walter, should succeed to the throne, replacing James, Duke of York.Prominent Exclusionist, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, is arrested on suspicion of high treason.
Art and science
Natural philosopher, Samuel Morland is appointed 'Master of Mechanicks' to the king having transformed Windsor Castle's water system.Architect, Christopher Wren, is commissioned to design the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Poet laureate, John Dryden, writes political satire Absalom and Achitophel, focusing upon the trial of Anthony Ashley-Cooper.
International
King of France, Louis XIV, concerned by England's instability over the exclusion crisis, offers Charles II a subsidy, bolstering the king in his dealings with Parliament. In return, England agrees to withdraw from entering an anti-French alliance with Spain; Laurence Hyde, Lord of the Treasury, signs the accord with France.Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.