I'm intrigued by the scene where Willmore first encounters the picture that is put up of Angellica. What he says, in making a comparison of beauty as commodity, is not altogether surprising, but still worth looking at; "A plague of this poverty, of which I ne'er complain but when it hinders my approach to beauty which virtue ne'er could purchase" (II.i. p.186). What can we make of this line, especially considering the scene where Florinda is able to preserve her virtue by giving an expensive ring? When Willmore finds out how much Hellena is worth, he is more resolute than ever to be with his "gipsy." Can virtue purchase anything anyway? This play doesn't seem to hold out much hope for virtuous triumph over money.
In the continuation of this scene, Willmore takes a smaller picture down (presumably a copy of the larger one), which causes much consternation from Angellica and provokes Antonio to fight with him. Interestingly, Willmore claims that the picture gives him, in a way, possession (p. 190), even though he does not have enough money to pay for Angellica's favors. This is the first time I've ever encountered what looks like modern day advertising in early modern drama. Though what Willmore means when he says possession is simply that the small picture is now his, it is interesting to think about this situation and the play in general as indicative of the power of visual representation and its ability to be the vehicle for ownership or exchange. What does Antonio relinquish if he allows Willmore to keep the smaller picture? Is there a sense that with his possession of the picture, Willmore has special access to Angellica? She says she was moved by his words (II.ii. p.193), but her initial request to see him is premised on chastising him for taking the picture down.
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I was thinking of advertising as well when those pictures of Angelica were displayed, and I think you're right about Willmore having some sort of power if he takes the picture, but I'm still not sure how or why.
I was thinking about Willmore's line when he sees the image: "This posture's loose and negligent; / The sight on't would beget a warm desire" (2.1 p.189). What does this picture look like? I can't help thinking that it's in some way erotic or pornographic due to his lines, or maybe he's just commenting on her beauty. Does it make a difference either way? Because as a prostitute she sells her body, so a picture of her body that is somehow exposed might be a substitute for / more valuable than than her actual physical self. They both seem to satisfy Willmore's desire equally.
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