The Duchess of St. Albans: A 17th C. Portrait After a Kneller Painting

The Duchess of St. Albans (1642-1712) was a woman named Diana de Vere. She was born in 1642, the daughter of Aubrey de Vere, the 20th Earl of Oxford. In 1662, she married Charles Beauclerk, the illegitimate son of King Charles II and his mistress, Nell Gwyn. As a result of her marriage, Diana became the Duchess of St. Albans, and she and Charles had several children together. Diana was known for her beauty and charm, and she was a prominent figure in the court of King Charles II. Despite her husband's illegitimate birth, Diana was highly respected in the royal court and was known for her intelligence and wit. She was a patron of the arts and supported many artists and writers of the time. Diana lived through a tumultuous period of English history, including the Great Fire of London and the Glorious Revolution, which saw King James II replaced by William of Orange. She died in 1712 at the age of 70 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Descendants of Diana and her husband, who was an illegitimate son of King Charles II, include Diana, Princess of Wales and her son William, Duke of Cambridge.

An author wrote of her: "The line of Vere, so long renown’d in arms, Concludes with luster in St. Albans’s charms; Her conquering eyes have made their race complete, It rose in valor, and in beauty set."

This striking mezzotint engraving depicts Diana, Duchess of St Albans in a three-quarter length pose, standing, wearing loose flowing dress and a wrap. She has a very serene, calm appearance as she is looking straight at the viewer. There is a landscape of trees in the background. The print is adhered in the corners to an archival backing, which is itself adhered in the upper corners to a larger backing. The print is trimmed to just beyond the plate mark. There are areas of discoloration in the margins and in the inscription area, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. The sheet measures 14.5" high and 10" wide. This mezzotint is held by multiple museums and institutions, including The British Museum, The National Portrait Gallery London, The Fine Arts Museum of Boston, The Lewis Walpole Library at Yale, The Yale Center for British Art, The Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge and The National Galleries of Scotland. The original Kneller painting is part of the British Royal Collection Trust and hangs in the King's Private Dining Room at Hampton Court Palace.

Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) was a leading portrait painter of his time, particularly renowned for his depictions of the British aristocracy and royalty. He was born in Lübeck, Germany, and trained in Amsterdam under the painter Ferdinand Bol before moving to England in 1676. In England, Kneller quickly gained a reputation as a skilled portraitist, and he was appointed court painter to King William III and Queen Mary II in 1688. He continued to paint portraits of successive monarchs, including Queen Anne and King George I, as well as leading political and cultural figures of the day.

Kneller's style was characterized by grandeur and formality, with a strong emphasis on flattering, idealized likenesses of his subjects. His portraits were also notable for their use of symbolic and allegorical elements, often incorporating classical motifs and references to the subject's virtues or accomplishments. In addition to his painting, Kneller was a key figure in the art world of his time, serving as the first governor of the newly founded Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1711. He was knighted by King George I in 1715 and continued to work until his death in 1723.

John Smith (1652-1742) was a prominent English engraver who lived in the 17th century. He was born in London and trained under the renowned engraver Wenceslaus Hollar. Smith became known for his exceptional engraving skills, particularly in the technique of mezzotint, a method of creating rich tonal gradations in prints. Smith worked on a wide range of projects throughout his career, including portraits, landscapes, and illustrations for books. He was particularly skilled at capturing the delicate features and expressions of his subjects, which made his portraits highly sought after. One of Smith's most notable works is a series of engravings he created for John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost." These engravings were widely praised for their detailed and evocative depictions of the poem's characters and scenes. Overall, John Smith was a highly respected and influential figure in the world of English engraving, and his legacy continues to be felt in the field today.