Grand Ladies

While Charles II was polite to Catherine of Braganza, this is one of those to whom he really payed attention. Charles II made her Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Catherine! Catherine and Barbara feuded constantly behind the scenes. Her Wikipedia article is here.

1660s Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland by Sir Peter Lely (National Portrait Gallery, London)

ca. 1665 Windsor Beauty Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland as Minerva, the Roman goddess of war and wisdom by Sir Peter Lely (Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace)

1666 Barbara Villiers by ? (location unknown to gogm)

1669 Lady, said to be Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, three-quarter-length, in a silver dress by Caspar Netscher (auctioned)

Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland by Henri Gascar (private collection)

1670(?) Barbara Palmer (Villiers), first Duchess of Cleveland by John Michael Wright (National Portrait Gallery, London)

Barbara Villiers seated by Lely studio (location unknown to gogm)

Barbara Villiers by Lely studio (location unknown to gogm)

Barbara Palmer (Villiers), 1st Duchess of Cleveland by Sir Peter Lely (Grafton Hall)

Barbara Villiers (1641-1709), Countess of Castlemaine, later Duchess of Cleveland, three-quarter-length, in a blue dress with ermine trim by circle of Sir peter Lely (auctioned by Christie's)