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Sir William Petty

4 of 9 portraits of Sir William Petty

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir William Petty

by and published by John Smith, after John Closterman
mezzotint, 1696
13 5/8 in. x 10 1/8 in. (347 mm x 258 mm) plate size; 14 1/2 in. x 10 5/8 in. (368 mm x 270 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D30967

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • John Closterman (1660-1711), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 58 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Events of 1696back to top

Current affairs

HMS Sovereign of the Seas is accidentally destroyed by fire at Chatham.
Window Duty, based upon the number of windows in a house, is levied by Parliament to support William III's war with France.
The Great Recoinage attempts to replace coins in circulation made up of hammered silver.

Art and science

Recently ordained, Jonathan Swift writes his first book, A Tale of a Tub, which includes an allegory of three brothers representing the principal divisions of Western Christianity.
Architect and playwright, John Vanbrugh's hugely successful comedy, The Relapse, is staged at the Drury Lane Theatre.

International

After several years of secret negotiations forged by William III with Louis XIV, king of France, to end the Nine Years' War, envoys from both sides unofficially begin serious talks.
Economic depression in Holland leads to riots in Amsterdam.

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