Mrs Ellen Gwynn.

Date1751

After work by Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680)

Engraver Peter Van Bleeck

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOH: 15" x OW: 12 3/4" (includes false margins); Plate H: 13 5/8" x W: 9 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-93

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "M.rs Ellen Gwynn./ P. Lely Eques pinx.t/ P.V.B. F.t 1751./ A celebrated Actress and distinguish'd Favorite of King Charles the 2.d"Label TextEleanor "Nell" Gwynn was an actress and long-time mistress of King Charles II with whom she had a son. The King recognized granted their son a dukedom and other titles, making him Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans,ProvenanceBefore 1952, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1952-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).