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Unknown man, formerly known as William Mason

1 of 4 portraits by John Plott

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Unknown man, formerly known as William Mason

attributed to John Plott
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, circa 1760
4 1/8 in. x 3 3/8 in. (105 mm x 86 mm) oval
Given by Hon. Philip Stanhope, 1905
Primary Collection
NPG 1393

Sitterback to top

  • William Mason (1725-1797), Poet and divine; friend and biographer of Thomas Gray. Sitter associated with 10 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 9 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Plott (1732-1803), Miniature painter. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 523
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 695
  • Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 65 Read entry

    William Mason, gentle poet, Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, and author of The English Garden (1771-81), a blank verse poem in four books on landscape gardening, is here attributed to the Winchester miniaturist, John Plott, who caught his subject, quill pen in hand, in the act of composition, perhaps of his tragedy, Caractacus, published in 1759.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1760back to top

Current affairs

Death of George II on 25 October at the age of 76. George III succeeds to the throne at the age of 22.

Art and science

German artist Johan Zoffany arrives in England, where he is instrumental in reviving the 'conversation piece' genre of painting.
First public exhibition of paintings in England is held at the Society of Arts' Great Room in the Strand, London.
The Public Ledger is founded; the oldest British periodical with continuous daily publication.


International

Seven Years' War: At the Battle of Carrickfergus in Ireland, a force of French troops captures the town of Carrickfergus before retiring.
Surrender of Montreal to the British under General Jeffrey Amherst signals the virtual loss of Canada by the French. British troops oust the Nawab of Bengal Mir Jafar and replace him with Mir Quasim.
Former Chief Tacky leads an unsuccessful slave rebellion in Jamaica, which aims to overthrow British rule.

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