Eleanor Gwyn, Mistress of Charles II
1777
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1777
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Eleanor Gwyn, Mistress of Charles II is a 1777 ink by Valentine Green, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white print of a woman sitting with one leg bent. She’s wearing a loose, draped white garment over one shoulder, leaving her chest bare. Her hair is styled in soft curls, and she holds a fan in one hand. The background is plain and dark, focusing all attention on her. The name at the bottom reads *Eleanor Gwyn*, and this print was made using a technique that creates deep shadows and smooth tones. That’s called *mezzotint*—it’s how artists made detailed prints before photography. If you like this style, look up *Green, Valentine* to see more of his prints.
