Queen Catherine (of Braganza) (1638-1705)
after Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1660 - 1705
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
762 x 635 mm (30 x 25 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129131
Caption
Catherine of Braganza was the daughter of John, Duke of Braganza (1604-1656), afterwards John IV, King of Portugal, and Louisa Maria, daughter of John Manuel Domingo Perez de Guzman, 8th Duke of Medina-Sidonia. Catherine of Braganza was the Queen Consort of Charles II, whom she married in 1662. She was never crowned because she was a Roman Catholic and could not participate in the Anglican coronation ritual. A contemporary commented on her ‘pretty shape, her languishing and excellent eyes’, along with her ‘projecting teeth’ and shy and solemn demeanour. She suffered from a miscarriage, and gave birth to three stillborns, although agonisingly, Charles II fathered some sixteen illegitimate children. She returned to Portugal in 1692, after his death in 1685, where for a short time she acted as Regent. The original of this picture is in the Royal Collection.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Queen Catherine (of Braganza) (1638-1705), after Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680). A painted oval bust portrait turned slightly to left, gazing at spectator, wearing grey satin dress with white sleeves and pearl necklace; single row of pearls around her shoulders meeting at bosom with drop pearl and jewelled brooch, drop pearl earrings and pearl necklace. Hair worn in ringlets and small ringlet centre of forehead. The orginal of around 1663/5 is in the Royal Collection.
Provenance
In Agar-Ellis 1817 catalogue of Hardwick Hall; thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
after Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680), artist previously catalogued as after Pieter Borsselaer (Middelburg 1632 - Goes 1692) , artist