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Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, Countess of Portmore, daughter of Sir Charles Sedley, was the mistress of James VII and II both before and after he came to the thrones. Catherine was not noted for beauty but for her wittiness and sharp-tongue. She grew up 'notoriously plain'. While her father roistered around England, her mother entered a madhouse in Catherine's early teens. At this low point, Sir Charles consoled his daughter by introducing a common-law wife and ejecting Catherine from the house. She then worked for the Italian princess, Mary of Modena, wife of James, Duke of York, heir to the British throne which led to the affair. She was bewildered at having been chosen by James. 'It cannot be my beauty for he must see I have none', she remarked incredulously.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea
London
Title
Portrait of a Lady
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 126 x W 100 cm
Accession number
383
Acquisition method
presented by Major-General G. J. Farmar, CB, CMG, 1935
Work type
Painting