'Introduction of Citizen Volpone and his suite, at Paris'
1 portrait of Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
'Introduction of Citizen Volpone and his suite, at Paris'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 15 November 1802
9 7/8 in. x 13 3/4 in. (250 mm x 350 mm) plate size; 10 3/8 in. x 14 1/2 in. (265 mm x 368 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12794
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.
Sittersback to top
- Sir Robert Adair (1763-1855), Diplomat. Sitter associated with 7 portraits. Identify
- Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine (1750-1823), Lord Chancellor. Sitter associated with 69 portraits. Identify
- Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 313 portraits. Identify
- Elizabeth Bridget Fox (née Cane) (1750-1842), Courtesan; wife of Charles James Fox. Sitter in 7 portraits. Identify
- Henry Richard Fox (later Vassall), 3rd Baron Holland (1773-1840), Whig statesman and patron of art and letters. Sitter associated with 57 portraits. Identify
- Elizabeth Vassall Fox (née Vassall), Lady Holland (formerly Webster) (1770-1845), Political and literary hostess; former wife of Sir Godfrey Webster, and later wife of 3rd Baron Holland. Sitter in 4 portraits. Identify
- Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of France 1804-14. Sitter associated with 91 portraits. Identify
- Arthur O'Connor (1763-1852), Irish rebel. Sitter in 7 portraits. Identify
Events of 1802back to top
Current affairs
After returning from Naples, Nelson tours England with the diplomat and antiquarian Sir William Hamilton and his wife Emma, with whom he was having an affair. With Nelson's status confirmed as a national hero, their reception outrivals that of the King.Extensive strikes in government shipyards led by John Gast.
Art and science
Francis Jeffrey, MP and arbiter of literary taste, co-founds the Edinburgh Review, the influential Whig quarterly which voiced strong criticism of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey.The Exchange, where stocks were traded, is rebuilt to cope with an increase in business during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
International
Peace of Amiens; Britain finally agrees to unpopular peace, leaving France the chief power in Europe and returning recent British colonial acquisitions.Napoleon is declared First Consul of the French Empire for life.
English flock to see the international war plunder now on display at the Louvre in Paris.
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