Mary of Modena

1 portrait of Mary of Modena

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Mary of Modena

by Sir George Scharf, after John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
pencil, circa 1857-1895 (1703)
4 3/8 in. x 4 1/4 in. (112 mm x 107 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D21675

Sitterback to top

  • Mary of Modena (1658-1718), Queen of James II. Sitter associated with 56 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), Artist and art historian; first Director and later trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Artist or producer associated with 588 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.
  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Events of 1857back to top

Current affairs

Palmerston passes the Matrimonial Causes Act in the face of parliamentary opposition. The act establishes divorce courts, although women, unlike men, are not allowed to sue for divorce on the grounds of adultery.
The Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition is held, a follow-up to the Great Exhibition of 1851, although highlighting Britain's private art collections rather than industry and technology. More than 1.3 million people visit the event.

Art and science

Elizabeth Gaskell publishes The Life of Charlotte Brontë, a year after the author's death. The controversial biography consolidates the myth of the Brontë sisters as isolated geniuses living in remote Yorkshire.
Illustrator George Scharf becomes the first Secretary of the National Portrait Gallery, overseeing the collection's growth and its several moves around London before a permanent home is established in 1896, the year after Scharf's death.

International

The Indian Revolt was a significant rebellion against the rule of the East Indian Company and a culmination of decades of discontent about British rule. After a year of horrific violence on both sides, the revolt was suppressed. It led to a more involved role by the British government in India, taking over responsibility from the East India Company.

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