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Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester

by Robert Williams, published by Edward Cooper, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, late 17th century
9 1/2 in. x 6 3/4 in. (241 mm x 170 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1916
Reference Collection
NPG D18998

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Edward Cooper (died 1725), Printseller. Artist associated with 169 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
  • Robert Williams (active 1680-1704), Mezzotinter. Artist associated with 76 portraits.
  • Willem Wissing (1656-1687), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 146 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D1769: Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (from same plate)
  • NPG D1770: Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (from same plate)
  • NPG D1771: Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1669back to top

Current affairs

An indulgence is issued in Scotland, the result of Secretary of State for Scotland, John Maitland's negotiations with Presbyterians, allowing some formerly ejected clergymen to return to their ministries.
Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I, dies at the château de Colombes and is buried in the Cathedral of St Denis.

Art and science

Architect, Christopher Wren is appointed surveyor of the king's works.
Mathematician, Isaac Newton, is made Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. Earlier in the year, he builds the first known reflecting telescope.
Diarist Samuel Pepys, with failing eyesight, stops writing his diary never to resume.

International

Charles II begins secret diplomatic negotiations with Louis XIV of France in April, with a view to securing an alliance against the Dutch, and financial support. Communications between the two monarchs flowed through Charles's sister, Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans, sister-in-law of Louis.

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