King James II

1 portrait of King James II

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King James II

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1683-1729
15 3/4 in. x 11 3/8 in. (400 mm x 288 mm) plate size; 17 1/8 in. x 12 1/2 in. (434 mm x 319 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D19547

Sitterback to top

  • King James II (1633-1701), Reigned 1685-88. Sitter associated with 134 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Portrait setback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1683back to top

Current affairs

Rye House Plot, a conspiracy to murder the king and his heir, James, Duke of York, is leaked to the government by minor conspirator, Josiah Keeling. Arrests follow; some conspirators are executed, others pardoned while several flee the country.
Worst ever recorded frost in England freezes the Thames.

Art and science

England's first public museum, the Ashmolean Museum, is opened by Oxford University to house a substantial collection donated by the Antiquary, Elias Ashmole.

International

Financial constraints forces Charles II to decide to relinquish Tangiers, an English possession since 1661, unable to continue its defence against the Moors. Admiral, George Legge, Baron Dartmouth, is commissioned to oversee the port's demolition. Diarist, Samuel Pepys accompanies Dartmouth as his secretary during the expedition.

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