27th September 2017
'He was dark-haired and dark-eyed, dressed like a prince, laden with diamonds. He had a bright mobile face above the wide lace-trimmed ruff with eyes that were smiling and wicked, and a mouth as changeable and as provocative as any pretty woman's. The pallor of his skin gleamed in the darkness as if he were lit from within, like a paper lantern, and his smile, when he saw John coming towards him, was as engaging as a child's, with the confidence and innocence of a child who has never known anything but love. He wore a doublet and cape of dark green, as green as the yew, and for a moment John, looking from trees to man, thought he was in the presence of a dryad – some wild beautiful spirit of the wood – and that some miracle had been granted him, to see a tree dancing towards him and smiling.’
This was my description of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, in my novel Earthly Joys, and now a portrait of him has recently been authenticated as a Rubens. It was spotted in Pollok House in Glasgow by Dr Bendor Grosvenor, who suspected that the painting was not a copy of a long-lost Rubens – but actually the original.
Restoration work on the portrait took away hundreds of years of dust and dirt, as well as overpainting. It was confirmed as a 1620s painting, showing techniques typical of the Rubens’ studio.
To find a Rubens is a treat in itself, but one of this beautiful and controversial figure is very special. King James I was besotted with George Villiers and it was widely thought that the two were lovers. James told the Privy Council: 'You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else'.
Villiers created a devoted friendship with James’ son and remained as court favourite when Charles ascended the throne. He made many enemies and was assassinated at the age of 35. Charles was one of the few who mourned him.
Oddly – I worked as a temp in the solicitor’s office which was the site of his death in High Street, Portsmouth. But I never saw his ghost which was said to haunt the narrow hallway.