Princess Sophia
2 of 8 portraits of Princess Sophia
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Princess Sophia
by and published by Caroline Watson, after John Hoppner
stipple engraving, published 12 April 1786
8 3/8 in. x 6 1/4 in. (214 mm x 160 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D14891
Artistsback to top
- John Hoppner (1758-1810), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 217 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
- Caroline Watson (1760 or 1761-1814), Printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1786back to top
Current affairs
Philosopher and politician Edmund Burke instigates impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of Bengal after concerns about the moral standards of the British in India are raised.Prime Minister William Pitt appoints commissioners for the reduction of the national debt and establishes a sinking fund of £1 million a year.
Government approves the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay.
Art and science
Robert Burns publishes Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect bringing him immediate success across the country.Engraver and publisher John Boydell initiates plans for his Shakespeare Gallery in an effort to establish a school of British history painting.
Merchant David Dale establishes New Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, as a model cotton milling community.
International
General Charles Cornwallis succeeds Warren Hastings as Governor-General in India.Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
Francisco Goya is appointed court painter to the Spanish king Charles III.
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