'The reception of the diplomatique and his suite, at the Court of Pekin'
1 portrait matching these criteria:
- set matching 'James Gillray etchings (1790-94)'
'The reception of the diplomatique and his suite, at the Court of Pekin'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 14 September 1792
12 5/8 in. x 15 3/4 in. (320 mm x 399 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12463
Sittersback to top
- Johann Christian Hüttner (1765?-1847), Author and translator. Sitter in 1 portrait. Identify
- George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney (1737-1806), Diplomat and colonial governor. Sitter in 9 portraits. Identify
- Qianlong (1711-1799), Emperor of China, reigned 1736-96. Sitter in 2 portraits. Identify
- Sir George Leonard Staunton, 1st Bt (1737-1801), Diplomat. Sitter in 3 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (18 Old Bond Street, London)
- Place portrayed: China (Imperial Court, Peking, China)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1792back to top
Current affairs
The famous seven year trial of Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, on charges of embezzlement and murder, ends with his acquittal. Pro-Revolutionary philosopher Joseph Priestley's house is destroyed by a mob on the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Their actions are later seen as a key moment in the defeat of Enlightenment ideals in England.Art and science
Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; a radical work which called on women to be allies to one another; fearless in their support and free in their criticism.Sir Joshua Reynolds dies and is succeeded by Benjamin West as President of the Royal Academy.
International
The mob invades the Tuileries and the French Royal Family is imprisoned marking the end of France's experiment with constitutional monarchy and the declaration of the first French Republic.The Revolutionary Commune is established in Paris.
France declares war on Austria and then Prussia.
Comments back to top
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Doug Wills
26 September 2017, 14:26
I think the publication date on this page is wrong by exactly one year. It was published Sept 1792, ie just before the mission left the UK for China. As such modern scholars suggest it tells us more about the British focus on etiquette and ritual, rather than what was previously supposed; telling us about the Chinese focus on the ritual & the kowtow in-particular.
Song-Chuan Chen
17 August 2016, 03:13
Can it be true that the publishing date of this picture is the date of the audience that the picture is depicting? The picture was published in London and the audience happened in China. I would love to know if you have the date of publication. Thank you.
Paul Cox
23 November 2017, 15:07
Dear Mr Wills
Thank you for your message. We did indeed have the date wrong by exactly one year so are grateful to you for pointing out this error. I have now changed the date in our catalogue to 14 September 1792.