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Henry Purcell

(1659-1695), Composer

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 11 portraits
Purcell, the pre-eminent composer of the Restoration period and the father of modern music in England, is said to have written his first composition at the age of eleven in honour of Charles II's birthday. He became organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679, and of the Chapel Royal in 1682. Purcell composed religious anthems, secular songs, instrumental pieces, odes, music for plays and 'semi-operas', and the famous Dido and Aeneas, one of the first English operas, and the Fairy Queen. According to John Evelyn he was 'esteemed to be the best composer of any Englishman hitherto'.

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Henry Purcell, by Unknown artist - NPG 2150

Henry Purcell

by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, after 1695
NPG 2150

Henry Purcell, by John Closterman - NPG 4994

Henry Purcell

by John Closterman
black chalk heightened with white, 1695
NPG 4994

Henry Purcell, by or after studio of John Closterman - NPG 1352

Henry Purcell

by or after studio of John Closterman
oil on canvas, circa 1695 or after
On display in Room 8 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1352

Henry Purcell, by Robert White - NPG D5218

Henry Purcell

by Robert White
line engraving, circa 1683
NPG D5218

Henry Purcell, by Robert White, after John Closterman - NPG D32252

Henry Purcell

by Robert White, after John Closterman
line engraving, 1695
NPG D32252

Henry Purcell, after Unknown artist - NPG D30448

Henry Purcell

after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D30448

Henry Purcell, after Unknown artist - NPG D40771

Henry Purcell

after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D40771

Henry Purcell, by William Nelson Gardiner, published by E. & S. Harding, after Silvester Harding - NPG D13860

Henry Purcell

by William Nelson Gardiner, published by E. & S. Harding, after Silvester Harding
stipple engraving, published 1 November 1794
NPG D13860

Henry Purcell, by William Humphrys, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30449

Henry Purcell

by William Humphrys, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid 19th century
NPG D30449

Henry Purcell, by George Zobel, after John Closterman - NPG D40770

Henry Purcell

by George Zobel, after John Closterman
mezzotint, circa 1850s-1870s
NPG D40770

Henry Purcell, by George Zobel, after John Closterman - NPG D3979

Henry Purcell

by George Zobel, after John Closterman
mezzotint, circa 1850s-1870s
NPG D3979

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