James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury
10 of 29 portraits by Caroline Watson
© National Portrait Gallery, London
James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury
by and published by Caroline Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 30 November 1786 (1785)
15 1/2 in. x 11 1/2 in. (394 mm x 292 mm) plate size; 16 3/8 in. x 12 1/4 in. (416 mm x 312 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D14294
Sitterback to top
- James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (1746-1820), Diplomat. Sitter in 12 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 1425 portraits, Sitter associated with 40 portraits.
- Caroline Watson (1760 or 1761-1814), Printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D19714: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
- NPG D19947: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
- NPG D35520: James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (from same plate)
Events of 1786back to top
Current affairs
Philosopher and politician Edmund Burke instigates impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of Bengal after concerns about the moral standards of the British in India are raised.Prime Minister William Pitt appoints commissioners for the reduction of the national debt and establishes a sinking fund of £1 million a year.
Government approves the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay.
Art and science
Robert Burns publishes Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect bringing him immediate success across the country.Engraver and publisher John Boydell initiates plans for his Shakespeare Gallery in an effort to establish a school of British history painting.
Merchant David Dale establishes New Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, as a model cotton milling community.
International
General Charles Cornwallis succeeds Warren Hastings as Governor-General in India.Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
Francisco Goya is appointed court painter to the Spanish king Charles III.
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