3 OF 3 
Magdalena Jacoba, Lady Whitworth
3 of 3 portraits by Guillaume Birochon
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© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Magdalena Jacoba, Lady Whitworth
by Guillaume Birochon
pastel, circa 1724
21 1/2 in. x 17 1/8 in. (546 mm x 435 mm)
Purchased, 1981
Primary Collection
NPG 5418
Sitterback to top
- Magdalena Jacoba, Lady Whitworth (died 1733), Wife of Baron Whitworth. Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
The fashion for pastels in England was encouraged by the medium's popularity in France, as British travellers commissioned portraits from French pastellists. Madeleine Whitworth accompanied her diplomat husband to the Congress of Cambrai (1723-25) where she was drawn by the French artist Guillaume Birochon. Her portrait was one of a series depicting visitors to the conference, which had been commissioned by Lord Polwarth, Baron Whitworth's fellow diplomat. This is the only known image of Madeleine Whitworth, whose husband was also depicted by Birochon.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 320
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 660
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- The Art of Drawing: Portraits from the Collection, 1670-1780 (19 October 2012 - 19 May 2013)
Events of 1724back to top
Current affairs
Notorious thief and jailbreaker John 'Jack' Sheppard is hanged at Tyburn.General George Wade is sent to inspect Scotland, initiating an 11-year program of road improvement and bridge building in the Scottish Highlands.
Art and science
First of Jonathan Swift's Drapier's Letters is published; one of seven pamphlets railing against the debasement of Irish coinage.Blenheim Palace is presented as a gift to the Duke of Marlborough for his involvement in the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
International
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.Pope Benedict XIII succeeds Pope Innocent XIII as the 245th pope.
King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne.
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