James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury
James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury
by Caroline Watson, published by Anthony Molteno, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 30 November 1786 (1785)
15 1/2 in. x 11 1/2 in. (393 mm x 292 mm) plate size; 16 1/2 in. x 12 3/8 in. (420 mm x 315 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D19947
Sitterback to top
- James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (1746-1820), Diplomat. Sitter in 12 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Anthony Molteno (active 1783-1830), Printseller and bookseller. Artist or producer associated with 23 portraits.
- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 1425 portraits, Sitter associated with 40 portraits.
- Caroline Watson (1760 or 1761-1814), Printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D14294: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
- NPG D19714: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
- NPG D35520: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
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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