14 OF 35

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

14 of 35 portraits of Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1680-1684
18 3/4 in. x 11 3/8 in. (475 mm x 290 mm) plate size; 20 1/4 in. x 12 3/4 in. (515 mm x 325 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries, 1984
Reference Collection
NPG D11405

Sitterback to top

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709), Mistress of Charles II. Sitter in 35 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Alexander Browne (active 1659-died 1706), Artist, publisher, printseller, auctioneer and dealer. Artist associated with 149 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D1471: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (based on same portrait)
NPG D19886: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (Blue Balcony, Little Queen Street, London)

Events of 1680back to top

Current affairs

William Howard, Viscount Stafford, is convicted of impeachment and beheaded on account of his alleged involvement in the Popish Plot.
Whigs' sponsorship of a pope-burning procession, for the second consecutive year, supports their campaign to exclude James, Duke of York from the throne.

Art and science

Writer, John Bunyan, publishes, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman. Novelistic in form and conceived as a dialogue between two gentlemen, the book was intended as a sequel to the first part of The Pilgrim's Progress.

International

Revelations surface of a Catholic uprising in Ireland with French support. The government launches an inquiry, ultimately leading to the execution of Oliver Plunket, Archbishop of Armagh.
Secretary of State, Robert Spencer, in adopting an anti-French foreign policy, forges a defensive Anglo-Spanish treaty while seeking an alliance with the Dutch.

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