'Tom Jones, Partridge and the Beggar'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
'Tom Jones, Partridge and the Beggar'
by James Gillray, published by Thomas Macklin
stipple engraving, published 14 September 1780
8 3/8 in. x 6 7/8 in. (213 mm x 175 mm) paper size
Given by Mrs Burger, 1961
Reference Collection
NPG D12285
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Thomas Macklin (1752 or 1753-1800), Printseller and picture dealer. Artist or producer associated with 8 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1780back to top
Current affairs
Anti-Catholic mob led by Lord George Gordon marches on Parliament to protest against the Catholic Relief Act, leading to the outbreak of the Gordon Riots in London. Six days of rioting are ended by the intervention of troops, with 285 people shot dead.Dunning's Motion in Parliament attacks the influence of the crown, suggesting that it has increased and ought to be diminished.
Art and science
Royal Academy moves to Somerset House on The Strand, London.Mrs E. Johnson's British Gazette and Sunday Monitor, the first Sunday newspaper in Britain, begins publication.
Potter Josiah Wedgwood invents the pyrometer; a device used for measuring high temperatures.
International
American War of Independence: British troops under Charles Cornwallis defeat American army under Horatio Gates at Camden, South Carolina. The capture of British army officer and spy John André yields proof that US general Benedict Arnold is in the pay of the British. André is executed in as a spy.Second Anglo-Mysore War in India between Hyder Ali and the East India Company.
Bolshoi Theatre of opera and ballet is founded in Moscow.
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Donald Coverdale
25 May 2017, 15:16
Your copy of this print has been trimmed to the engraved surface. I have a less trimmed copy and can give you full information about the Title etc.
The rectangular platemark measures 11 1/8 x 8 1/4 inches. Mine is printed in Sepia, like yours. The full title is "Tom Jones, Partridge & the Beggar" and below that is "There friend, you are the happiest Man alive Etc". All of this lettering is rather faint and less prominent than the print on the other one of the pair, "Sophie, Honour and the Chambermaid", which you also have.