Louis XVI, King of France ('The zenith of French glory; - the pinnacle of liberty')
40 of 72 portraits matching these criteria:
- set matching 'James Gillray etchings (1778-1808 supplement)'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Louis XVI, King of France ('The zenith of French glory; - the pinnacle of liberty')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 12 February 1793
13 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (354 mm x 250 mm) plate size; 14 5/8 in. x 10 3/8 in. (371 mm x 263 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D13014
Sitterback to top
- Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793), King of France 1774-1792. Sitter in 17 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
This is a historical work of art which reflects the attitudes and viewpoints of the time in which it was made. Whilst these may differ from today's attitudes, this image is an important historical document. This image is currently being researched, further information about this image will be updated below.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Schama, Simon, The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits, 2015-09-15, p. 91
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1793back to top
Current affairs
Whig MP Charles Grey enters a motion for parliamentary reform but is defeated in the House of Commons.Art and science
Radical philosopher William Godwin publishes Political Justice, an inflamatory document that promoted rational anarchism. This crystallised a wider feeling that a new era of world peace and progress was beginning.Sir William Beechey is appointed Portrait Painter to her Majesty, Queen Charlotte.
International
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette are executed and the Reign of Terror begins.France declares war on Britain, Holland and then Spain. William Pitt addresses the House of Commons and Britain hesitantly joins the first coalition of anti-revolutionary European states to oppose the French threat.
Attack on Corsica in which Captain Horatio Nelson loses an eye.
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