Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
1 portrait of Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1687)
13 3/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (340 mm x 250 mm) plate size; 13 3/4 in. x 10 3/8 in. (350 mm x 262 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11605
Sitterback to top
- Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717), Mistress of James II; wife of 1st Earl of Portmore; daughter of Sir Charles Sedley. Sitter in 12 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Isaac Beckett (1652 or 1653-1688), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 184 portraits.
- 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.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D1768: Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (from same plate)
- NPG D31003: Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (from same plate)
Events of 1687back to top
Current affairs
The fellows of Magdalen College, defying James II's instructions that they choose a Roman Catholic as its president, elect John Hough, Bishop of Worcester. The crown subsequently expels the fellows and annuls Hough's position.The Declaration of Indulgence is issued, granting greater religious tolerance towards nonconformists and Catholics.
Art and science
Astronomer, Edmond Halley, publishes Isaac Newton's Principia, Newton's theory on the laws of gravity and motion.Poet laureate, John Dryden, publishes The Hind and the Panther, a pro-Catholic, allegorical poem constructed as a theological discussion between the animals who represent the Church of Rome and Church of England respectively.
International
Papist Richard Talbot is appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, the first Catholic to take the position since the Reformation.Comments back to top
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