Wenzel Hollar (1607-1677) after Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641)
Antique print, etching | Portrait of Elisabetha Maria Villiers, published ca. 1645-1650.
Portrait of Mary Villiers, Duchess of Lennox and Richmond. Half-length against a landscape in the background, turned to the left, but looking towards the viewer, wearing a dress and scarf, pearl necklace, ear pendants, jewellery around the waist and upper left arm. She is holding a rose in her right hand at the level of her chest and two roses on the left on her lap.
Mary Villiers, goddaughter of James I, remained close to the royal family throughout her life. On his execution in 1649, Charles I gave her his father’s watch which she had played with as a child. Known for her beauty, Mary was the subject of numerous portraits during her lifetime. It is probable that Charles I commissioned the original portrait on which this etching was based.
Inscribed at bottom: “Illustriss: ma D:ma Domi.na Elisabetha Villiers Dvcessa De Lenox Et Rich / Mond. etc: Filia Georgij Villiers Dvcis Et Comitis Bvckinghamiæ.”
Signed: Ant: van dyck pinxit / W:Hollar fecit / Ioannes Meyssens ex: Antuerpiæ. Published in Antwerp (Antwerpen).
From a set of portraits after Van Dyck, published by Joannes Meyssens.
[NL] Portret van Mary Villiers, hertogin van Richmond en Lennox. Portretten naar Anthony van Dyck door Joannes Meyssens uitgegeven (serietitel).
SKU: PR121045
Etching on paper with wide margins; total: 303 x 235 mm; IV/6 state; some rubbing, pinched paper during printing, otherwise in good condition; Pennington 1457.
€ 302,50 (€ 250,00 ex. btw)