'La promenade en famille - a sketch from life'
1 portrait of Dorothy Jordan
'La promenade en famille - a sketch from life'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 23 April 1797
10 in. x 14 1/4 in. (254 mm x 363 mm) plate size; 10 5/8 in. x 15 in. (270 mm x 380 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12611
Sittersback to top
- Sophia Fitzclarence (1792-1837), State Housekeep of Kensington Palace; daughter of William IV by Mrs Jordan. Sitter in 1 portrait. Identify
- Lady Mary Fox (née FitzClarence) (1798-1864), Writer and housekeeper at Windsor Castle; daughter of William IV by Mrs Jordan; wife of Charles Richard Fox. Sitter in 4 portraits.
- Dorothy Jordan (Mrs Jordan) (Dorothea Phillips) (1761-1816), Actress; mistress of William IV. Sitter associated with 32 portraits. Identify
- George Augustus Frederick Fitzclarence, 1st Earl of Munster (1794-1842), Major-General and illegitimate son of William IV. Sitter in 10 portraits. Identify
- King William IV (1765-1837), Reigned 1830-37. Sitter associated with 175 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.
Linked publicationsback to top
- John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 113 Read entry
Here we see the humiliation of a Prince of the Blood, as he is forced to move, because of his extravagance, from Richmond to cheaper accommodation at Bushy. Further shame is evinced by his mistress having to return to work; the actress Dorothea is learning her lines. Clarence has taken over responsibility for their unruly brood. Note that chamber-pots were also known as ‘jordans’!
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (37 New Bond Street, London and 27 St James's Street, London)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1797back to top
Current affairs
The Anti-Jacobin periodical makes its debut followed by The Anti-Jacobin Review the year after. Edited by William Gifford, it acted as a Tory mouthpiece against the 'New Morality' associated with republicanism.Bank crisis results in the temporary suspension of payments by the Bank of England leading to a nationwide currency shortage.
Art and science
Robert Southey, later Poet Laureate, publishes his collected Poems, exploring contemporary interest in mythology and non-European cultures.Ann Radcliffe publishes her popular gothic novel The Italian. One of the most imaginative novelists of the period, she helped introduce readers to the romantic sense of the supernatural.
International
Battle of Cape St Vincent. Admiral John Jervis leads the fleet which defeat the Spanish.Failure of a small French invasion in Pembrokeshire.
Naval mutinies at Spithead and Nore.
Attack on the Canary Islands in which Rear-Admiral Nelson loses an arm.
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