George Heriot
3 of 4 portraits by John and Charles Esplens
© National Portrait Gallery, London
George Heriot
by John and Charles Esplens, after Paul van Somer
mezzotint, published 1743
13 7/8 in. x 9 1/4 in. (352 mm x 236 mm) plate size; 15 in. x 10 5/8 in. (380 mm x 271 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1868
Reference Collection
NPG D2989
Sitterback to top
- George Heriot (1563-1624), Jeweller to James I and founder of Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh. Sitter in 6 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John and Charles Esplens. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits.
- Paul van Somer (circa 1576-1621), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 36 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D2988: George Heriot (from same plate)
- NPG D19733: George Heriot (from same plate)
Events of 1743back to top
Current affairs
Henry Pelham becomes Prime Minister, following the death of Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington.Last wolf in the British Isles is reputedly killed in Scotland.
Second Gin Act further attempts to deal with the widespread abuse of gin.
Art and science
Portrait-painter Michael Dahl dies.Physician and cartographer Christopher Packe produces the first geological map of south-east England.
Final edition of Alexander Pope's literary satire The Dunciad is published.
International
War of the Austrian Succession: Battle of Dettingen is fought in Bavaria. King George II leads the troops to victory over the French; the last time a British monarch participates in a battle. George Frideric Handel writes the oratorio Dettingen Te Deum in celebration. Treaty of Worms signed between Great Britain, Austria and Sardinia. France and Spain form the Alliance of Fontainebleau with the aim of recapturing Gibraltar from Britain.Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.