Louis XVIII, King of France
1 portrait by William Pether
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Louis XVIII, King of France
by William Pether, published by John Boydell, after Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun
mezzotint, published 9 November 1778
14 3/8 in. x 10 3/8 in. (366 mm x 265 mm) plate size; 15 1/2 in. x 11 3/8 in. (394 mm x 290 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D19894
Sitterback to top
- Louis XVIII, King of France (1755-1824), Claimant to the throne of France 1795-1814; King of France 1814-1824. Sitter in 6 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John Boydell (1720-1804), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 132 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
- William Pether (1739-1821), Mezzotint engraver and painter. Artist or producer associated with 20 portraits.
- Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun (1755-1842), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 19 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
Events of 1778back to top
Current affairs
Catholic Relief Act is the first to provide a measure of catholic emancipation, modifying the penal laws that effectively prevented Catholics from holding public office. The reform is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.Art and science
Francis D'Arblay, writing as Fanny Burney, publishes her novel Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, in which she satirises contemporary society.Engineer Joseph Bramah invents a type of flush toilet, replacing the usual slide valve with a hinged flap that seals the bottom of the bowl.
International
American War of Independence: France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic. The British rapidly abandon Philadelphia. The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain.James Cook's third Pacific voyage, aboard the ships HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, first views Oahu then Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, which Cook names the Sandwich Islands.
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