Thomas Watson after Sir Peter Lely

[Windsor Beauties] From the Original Pictures in His Majesty's Collection at Windsor.
Barbara Dutchess of Cleveland
Elizabeth, Countess of Northumberlan
Amelia, Countess of Ossor
Lady Whitmore

A group of four, three-quarter length mezzotint portraits by Thomas Watson after the paintings by Sir Peter Lely, published in London in 1779.

Lely's opulent portraits of the leading ladies at the Court of Charles II were masterfully translated into mezzotint by Thomas Watson in 1779. Eleven portraits were commissioned some depicting the mistresses of the king. Although Charles II had many children by his wife, Catherine of Breganza, none survived. It is on the wrong side of the blanket we must look to find his progeny, with at least 12 illegitimate children recorded. Little wonder then that the public were so intrigued by the ladies of the Restoration Court! The paintings originate from the 1660s, soon after Lely was appointed Principal Painter at court.

There is a school of thought that Lely's Beauties are rather formulaic in their portrayal and there are, indeed, many similarities in their facial expressions and their pose.

Originally hanging at Windsor Castle, the portraits have moved around the royal palaces being recorded at St. James's Palace in 1674, back at Windsor Castle by the end of the C17th and then at Hampton Court in the C19th.