Nelly O'Brien
1 portrait of Nelly O'Brien
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Nelly O'Brien
by Samuel Okey, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, circa 1765-1780 (circa 1762-1764)
14 in. x 10 in. (355 mm x 255 mm) plate size; 14 3/8 in. x 10 3/8 in. (365 mm x 263 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D19911
Sitterback to top
- Nelly O'Brien (died 1768), Courtesan, beauty and model for Reynolds. Sitter in 11 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Samuel Okey (1741?-in or after 1780), Mezzotint engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits.
- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 1424 portraits, Sitter associated with 39 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1765back to top
Current affairs
George Grenville is dismissed as Prime Minister. He is succeeded by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.Isle of Man is brought under British control.
Stamp Act requires that printed materials in the colonies, such as legal documents and newspapers, are produced on paper made in London carrying an embossed revenue stamp.
Art and science
Nevil Maskelyne becomes Astronomer Royal.Writer Samuel Johnson publishes his edition of Shakespeare.
Inventor James Watt makes a breakthrough in the development of the steam engine by constructing a model with a separate condenser.
Judge and politician William Blackstone publishes his influential work Commentaries on the Laws of England.
International
Robert Clive secures the rights for the East India Company to collect taxes in Bengal from Mughal Emperor Shah Alam.American campaigners against the Stamp Act organise themselves as the Sons of Liberty in Massachusetts and New York.
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