A mezzotint of Mary Davis playing a guitar, after a portrait by Sir Peter Lely: three-quarter length, seated; her body is turned to the front and her head is turned slightly to the right. Her hair is in short curls, and she wears a loose gown, cut low. Drapery hangs behind her on the left, and on the right is a column and a vase of flowers.

Mary 'Moll' Davis (c.1651-1708) came to Charles II's attention in 1667, when the court visited Tunbridge Wells in the hope that Catherine of Braganza would fall pregnant after imbibing the town's spa waters. Moll was part of the company of actors who travelled from London in order to entertain the royal party, and she became the king's mistress soon afterwards. Celebrated for her musical talents, Moll is shown strumming a guitar. Charles II enjoyed guitar music and played the instrument; his enthusiasm for the guitar started a craze in the 1660's.

Text adapted from Charles II: Art & Power, London, 2017