Who painted Nell Gwyn?

Nell Gwyn was painted by Walter Colls in 1850.

Where can I see Nell Gwyn?

Nell Gwyn is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Can I buy a print of Nell Gwyn?

Museum-quality prints of Nell Gwyn are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Nell Gwyn

Walter Colls , 1850

Nell Gwyn is a print by Walter Colls. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print shows Nell Gwyn, a well-known figure from 17th-century England. Walter Colls made it in the 19th century. It’s a print, so it’s a single image copied many times.

The print was made by W. L. Colls, who worked with Walter Colls. It shows Nell Gwyn, a famous actress and mistress of King Charles II.

See one of her portraits at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This 19th‑century print depicts Nell Gwyn, the celebrated actress and royal consort of Charles II. Produced by the printer W. L. Colls, the image is reproduced in a single‑plate format typical of the period, allowing multiple copies to circulate. The work functions as a visual reminder of Gwyn’s enduring place in English cultural memory.

Subject & Meaning

Nell Gwyn (1650–1687) rose from modest origins to become one of the most famous women of the Restoration era, known for her stage talent and her relationship with the king. The print emphasizes her public persona, presenting her in a manner that aligns with 19th‑century nostalgia for the flamboyant court of Charles II.

Technique & Style

Executed as a relief print, the image relies on carved lines and shading to render facial features and costume details. Colls employed a restrained palette of black ink on paper, a common approach for affordable reproductions in the Victorian market, which prioritises clarity of likeness over elaborate coloration.

History & Provenance

Printed by W. L. Colls, a London‑based publisher active in the mid‑1800s, the work reflects the Victorian fascination with historical figures. Copies of the print have appeared in private collections and occasionally surface in auction records, confirming its circulation among collectors of historical portraiture.

Context

The print belongs to a broader 19th‑century trend of reviving Restoration icons, paralleling contemporary portraiture such as the oil painting of Gwyn held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. These visual revivals served both educational and decorative purposes, reinforcing a romanticized view of England’s theatrical past.

H Beard Print Collection, Peter, Sir Lely

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Artist & collection

Artist

Walter Colls

Walter Colls carved his living sculpting shop signs in 19th-century London’s Fleet Street alleys, where the smell of hot metal and printer’s ink clung to his coat sleeves.