Mary Davis, Actress

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Mary Davis, Actress

MARY DAVIS Actress, a mistress of Charles II. Date: FLOURISHED 1660S

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Media ID 14301087

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1660s Davis Flourished Mistress

EDITORS COMMENTS
Mary Davis: A Remarkable Actress of the Restoration Era This portrait depicts Mary Davis, an actress who rose to prominence during the reign of King Charles II in the 1660s. Davis's allure and talent on the stage made her a favorite among the royal court and the fashionable elite of Restoration London. Born in the late 1630s, Davis began her acting career in the 1650s during the Interregnum, a period when public theaters were closed due to the Puritanical regime. However, she continued to perform in private theaters and at court entertainments. With the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Davis's talents were once again in demand. Davis was known for her beauty, grace, and versatility as an actress. She excelled in both tragic and comic roles and was particularly admired for her portrayal of Desdemona in "Othello." Her performances were said to have moved audiences to tears and brought them to their feet in applause. But Mary Davis was not just an actress; she was also a mistress to King Charles II. Their affair began in the late 1660s and continued for several years. Davis's relationship with the king was a closely guarded secret, but rumors of their liaison reached the ears of the public. Some saw her as a shrewd and ambitious woman who used her charms to advance her career, while others viewed her as a tragic figure who paid a heavy price for her love. Despite the scandal, Davis continued to act and remained a popular figure in London's theatrical world. She retired from the stage in the late 1670s and spent her final years in relative obscurity. This portrait, painted during her prime, captures the essence of a remarkable woman who defied the conventions of her time and left an indelible mark on the history of English theater.

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