'The Five Orders of Perriwigs'

1 portrait of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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'The Five Orders of Perriwigs'

by William Hogarth
etching, published 1761
11 5/8 in. x 8 1/4 in. (295 mm x 210 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D21370

Artistback to top

  • William Hogarth (1697-1764), Painter and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 128 portraits, Sitter associated with 19 portraits.

Sittersback to top

This portraitback to top

Wigs dominated male costume from half way through the seventeenth century until the 1790s. The 'fullbottomed' wigs worn by the Kit-Cats were made of curled and frizzed human hair sewn into net caps. Such expensive items displayed the wearer's wealth and status as they needed daily combing and powdering by a barber or valet. Fashions in wigs changed over time. As men shaved their heads, when at home they swapped their wigs for soft caps. Being painted wearing a 'nightcap' was the height of confident informality.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D33303: 'The Five Orders of Perriwigs' (from same plate)

Events of 1761back to top

Current affairs

George, Prince of Wales marries Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz at St James' Palace. He is crowned George III two weeks later.
Buckingham House, on the site of present-day Buckingham Palace, is purchased for the royal family.
Bridgewater canal, engineered by James Brindley, opens as Britain's first canal.




Art and science

Establishment of Matthew Boulton's toy factory, the Soho Manufactory, near Birmingham; considered the first modern factory in Britain.
Allan Ramsay becomes Painter to the King.

International

Seven Years' War: General Sir Eyre Coote captures Pondicherry from the French in India. A combined Prussian-Hanoverian-British force led by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick defeats a large French army at the Battle of Villinghausen. France and Spain sign the Pacte de Famille forming an alliance against Britain. Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder fails to garner support to declare war on Spain.

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