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Lady Jane Grey

8 of 85 portraits by James Basire

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Lady Jane Grey

by James Basire, after George Vertue
stipple engraving, (1748)
4 1/2 in. x 6 3/4 in. (114 mm x 170 mm) plate size; 7 3/4 in. x 9 5/8 in. (198 mm x 245 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D36343

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • James Basire (1730-1802), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 85 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
  • George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist or producer associated with 865 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

James Basire crops the Vertue portrait to focus attention on Lady Jane's direct gaze. Although the source for the portrait is actually a painting of Elizabeth I, the print creates an illusion of authenticity through the addition of faithfully reproduced handwriting. The upper text, 'Jane the Quene', derives from original manuscripts from the brief period of Lady Jane's reign. The lower scripts are Lady Jane's signature following her marriage to Guilford Dudley and that of her husband: 'your most humble son…G. Dudley' and 'youre gracys humble daughter Jane Duddley'.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D24994: Lady Jane Grey (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D32035: Lady Jane Grey (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D36342: Lady Jane Grey (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D36344: Lady Jane Grey (based on same portrait)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1748back to top

Current affairs

In his role as magistrate, Henry Fielding organises the forerunner of the Bow Street Runners, effectively London's first police force.
Fire in the City of London causes over a million pounds worth of damage.

Art and science

Tobias Smollett publishes The Adventures of Roderick Random.
Samuel Richardson publishes Clarissa; the longest novel in the English language.
Philosopher David Hume publishes An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.
Physician John Fothergill's pamphlet Account of the Sore Throat attended with Ulcers contains the first description of diphtheria.



International

Ancient Roman city of Pompeii is rediscovered near Naples, further fuelling a resurgence of interest in the antique among British collectors such as the diplomat Sir William Hamilton.
Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle ends the War of the Austrian Succession.
French writer Montesquieu anonymously publishes his influential treatise on political theory L'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws).

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