Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough
7 of 8 portraits of Anne Spencer (née Churchill), Countess of Sunderland
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1688 (1688)
14 in. x 10 in. (357 mm x 255 mm) plate size; 14 1/2 in. x 10 5/8 in. (368 mm x 269 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11546
Sittersback to top
- Henrietta ('Harriet') Godolphin (née Churchill), Duchess of Marlborough (1681-1733), Patron of the arts. Sitter in 10 portraits.
- Anne Spencer (née Churchill), Countess of Sunderland (1683-1716), Famous beauty; second wife of 3rd Earl of Sunderland. Sitter in 8 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.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D3671: Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough (from same plate)
- NPG D3672: Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough (from same plate)
- NPG D3673: Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough (from same plate)
- NPG D31007: Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough (from same plate)
- NPG D38241: Countess of Sunderland and Duchess of Marlborough (from same plate)
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (Lion and Crown, Russell Street, London)
Events of 1688back to top
Current affairs
The Glorious Revolution. Senior statesmen, increasingly resentful of James's assault upon liberties of his subjects, invite William III of Orange to invade England. Their action is spurred on by the acquittal of seven bishops who refused to read James II's declaration of indulgence from their pulpits. James flees into exile.Art and science
George Savile, Marquess of Halifax, publishes his political tract, The Character of a Trimmer, written 1685, which urged Charles II to shake off his brother's influence.Writer, Aphra Behn, publishes Oroonoko, often considered to be an abolitionist treatise.
International
Nine Years' War. Threatened by William III's invasion of England and possible alliance of Protestant European states under his helm, Louis XIV sends French troops into the Rhineland. This pre-emptive strike ignites a war of attrition, and institutes a coalition of European states united in attempting to halt expansionist France.Comments back to top
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