Sir Philip Sidney
18 of 30 portraits of Sir Philip Sidney
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Sir Philip Sidney
by George Vertue, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1741
14 3/8 in. x 9 in. (365 mm x 230 mm) plate size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D25392
Sitterback to top
- Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), Soldier, statesman and poet. Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Isaac Oliver (circa 1565-1617), Miniature painter. Artist or producer associated with 73 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.
- George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist or producer associated with 865 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Events of 1741back to top
Current affairs
Motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Walpole is followed by a general election. Walpole's majority is reduced to less than twenty and he suffers defeat in seven divisions.Opening of the Foundling Hospital, London, to aid homeless and abandoned children.
Art and science
Lancelot 'Capability' Brown is appointed head gardener at Stowe, where he works with the architect William Kent.Actor David Garrick makes his debut on the London stage in Richard III.
Henry Fielding publishes An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews satirising Samuel Richardson's best-selling novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded.
International
War of the Austrian Succession: Admiral Edward Vernon leads an unsuccessful attack on Spanish stronghold of Cartagena. Frederick II's Prussian army defeats the Austrians at Mollwitz, securing his hold on most of Silesia. French and Bavarian forces enter Prague.Composer Johann Sebastian Bach publishes his set of Goldberg Variations, supposedly written for performance by the young harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg.
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