Samuel Cooper, portrait of James II, when Duke of York

Samuel Cooper (about 1608-72)
Portrait of James II, when Duke of York
1661
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower left 'SC' in monogram and dated '[16] 61'
Museum no. P.45-1955
Purchased with funds from the National Art Collections Fund

James (1633-1701) was the brother of Charles II. This miniature possibly celebrates Charles's return from exile or James's secret marriage to Anne Hyde, who was Catholic. Both events took place in 1660.

Samuel Cooper, portrait of Henrietta Anne

Samuel Cooper (about 1608-72)
Portrait of Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans
About 1660-1
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower left 'SC' in monogram
Museum no. P.110-1910
Salting Bequest

Henrietta Anne (1644-70), the youngest daughter of Charles I, grew up in exile in France. This was painted in London, presumably before her marriage in 1661 to the Duke of Orleans, brother of Louis XIV.

Samuel Cooper, portrait of an unknown man

Samuel Cooper (about 1608-72)
Portrait of an unknown man
About 1665-70
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Museum no. P.66-1968

This is possibly of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury.

Richard Gibson, portrait of an unknown boy

Richard Gibson (1615-90)
Portrait of an unknown boy
About 1660–5
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard
Museum no. Evans 52
Alan Evans Bequest, given by the National Gallery

Richard Gibson, portrait of an unknown woman

Richard Gibson (1615-90)
Portrait of an unknown woman
About 1672-5
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Museum no. P.5-1942
Given by the National Art Collections Fund

This is possibly of Frances Jennings (about 1648-1730/1). She was a Maid of Honour at the court of Charles II and a celebrated court beauty. She later married Richard Talbot, who became the 1st Duke of Tyrconnell in 1689.

Nicholas Dixon, portrait of an unknown woman

Nicholas Dixon (about 1645-after 1708)
Portrait of an unknown woman
About 1675
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower left 'ND' in monogram
Museum no. P.4-1942
Given by the National Art Collections Fund

This is possibly of Frances Theresa Stuart (1657-1701). But Dixon's miniatures of court beauties were so idealised it is difficult to be certain. Frances Theresa was rumoured to have been one of Charles II's mistresses.

Peter Cross, portrait of Robert Kerr, Earl and subsequently Marquis of Lothian

Peter Cross (about 1645-1724)
Portrait of Robert Kerr, Earl and subsequently Marquis of Lothian
1667
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower right, just under the frame, 'PC' in monogram
Inscribed by the artist on the back 'The Lord Kerr', dated '1667' and signed in Latin 'Peter Cross made this'
Museum no. P.41-1981

When this portrait was painted, Robert Kerr (1636-1702/3) was just beginning his career. Eventually he would hold high office at court.

Thomas Flatman, self-portrait

Thomas Flatman (1635-88)
Self-portrait
1673
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a table-book leaf
Signed lower left 'TF' in monogram, and dated 1673. Inscribed in graphite on the back 'Portrait / of / Thomas Flatman / (the poet) / by himself / 1673'
Museum no. P.79-1938
Given by the Basil S. Long Memorial Fund

Thomas Flatman, a lawyer, poet and miniaturist, described himself as a 'Gentleman'. This searching self-portrait is typical of his unglamorous miniatures, which were mostly of friends, fellow lawyers and officials.