£40,000 price tag on Nell Gwynne portrait

The stunning portrait of Charles II's mistress by official court painter Sir Peter Lely goes under the hammer at Sotheby's in London on Thursday, June 15.

The Sunderland-framed canvas has adorned the walls of some of Britain's high society and its estimated price tag is sure to keep it in similar circles.

Nell, whose tale of rags to riches is now 350 years old, had two sons by King Charles.

The eldest became the Duke of St Albans, whose descendant, the Earl of Burford, made national news when he staged a one-man protest about House of Lords reform.

Businessman Clive Gibson is selling the portrait of Nell. He is related to Britain's 12th richest man, Viscount Cowdray, whose family's wealth is put at £1,300 million.

Fortunately, this painting's new owner will know the history of the subject and her theatrical past, unlike Lord Brocket who, in 1952, bought it from Sotheby's thinking it to be Louise de Kerouaille.

HEREFORD'S most famous daughter, Nell Gwynne, is the subject of an oil painting expected to fetch up to £40,000 at auction.

The stunning portrait of Charles II's mistress by official court painter Sir Peter Lely goes under the hammer at Sotheby's in London on Thursday, June 15.

Rags to riches

The Sunderland-framed canvas has adorned the walls of some of Britain's high society and its estimated price tag is sure to keep it in similar circles.

Nell, whose tale of rags to riches is now 350 years old, had two sons by King Charles.

The eldest became the Duke of St Albans, whose descendant, the Earl of Burford, made national news when he staged a one-man protest about House of Lords reform.

Businessman Clive Gibson is selling the portrait of Nell. He is related to Britain's 12th richest man, Viscount Cowdray, whose family's wealth is put at £1,300 million.

Fortunately, this painting's new owner will know the history of the subject and her theatrical past, unlike Lord Brocket who, in 1952, bought it from Sotheby's thinking it to be Louise de Kerouaille.