Arthur Young

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Arthur Young

by John Russell
pastel, 1794
24 in. x 17 7/8 in. (610 mm x 454 mm) oval
Purchased, 1994
Primary Collection
NPG 6253

Images

John Russell used this simple but elegant fra…

Sitterback to top

  • Arthur Young (1741-1820), Agriculturalist, traveller and writer. Sitter in 6 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Russell (1745-1806), Portrait painter and pastellist. Artist or producer associated with 102 portraits, Sitter associated with 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

With its original carved and gilt frame of a pattern commonly used by the artist.

This pastel of 1794 shows Young just after he had been appointed to the Board of Agriculture when his views were extremely influential. He had also just returned from France and his account in Travels in France (1792) provides a unique insight into life in revolutionary France.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 684
  • Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 98

Events of 1794back to top

Current affairs

Treason Trials against John Horne Tooke, Thomas Hardy and John Thelwall take place amidst fears of domestic revolution. Their acquittal marks the most dramatic victory of the cause.
Leader of the Opposition, Charles James Fox's Libel Bill secures the landmark right of trial by jury for the accused.
Thomas Muir and the four other Scottish Martyrs who campaigned for parliamentary reform were transported to Australia for sedition.

Art and science

Edward Jenner discovers the smallpox inoculation after realising that those who worked with cattle and caught cowpox developed immunity.
Drury Lane Theatre re-opens under the management of the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. In competition with the Covent Garden Theatre it featured a new pit and boxes designed by architect Henry Holland.

International

Maximilien Robespierre, member of the French dictatorial Committee of Public Safety is arrested and executed as part of a conspiracy by enemies who disliked his anti-extremist stance and zeal for social reform.
Campaign in the Low Countries under the Duke of York. Allies are defeated and French reoccupy Brussels. British troops retreat to Holland.

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