1 OF 2 
John Bird
1 of 2 portraits by C. Lewis
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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John Bird
by and published by Valentine Green, after C. Lewis
mezzotint, published 2 December 1776
13 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (355 mm x 253 mm) plate size; 14 5/8 in. x 10 3/4 in. (376 mm x 277 mm) paper size
Given by E. Kersley, 1962
Reference Collection
NPG D733
Artistsback to top
- Valentine Green (1739-1813), Mezzotint engraver. Artist or producer associated with 150 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
- C. Lewis. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This mezzotint shows Bird studying his design for a mural quadrant with an instrument called a beam trammel which was used to record the position of stars.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1776back to top
Current affairs
Tahitian visitor to London Omai returns home with Captain James Cook on his third voyage. During his two-year stay he inspired a play and was painted by Joshua Reynolds.Member of Parliament David Hartley unsuccessfully introduces a motion to the House of Commons calling for the abolition of the slave trade.
Art and science
Edward Gibbon produces the first volume of his monumental The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.Artist John Constable is born.
Scottish economist Adam Smith analyses the nature and causes of prosperity in his magnum opus The Wealth of Nations.
International
American War of Independence: George Washington raises a new American flag on Prospect Hill, Boston. In an anonymous pamphlet entitled Common Sense, English immigrant Thomas Paine is the first to argue that the American colonies should be independent. Declaration of American Independence on 4 July.Comments back to top
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