1 OF 24

Joseph Addison

1 of 24 portraits of Joseph Addison

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

Joseph Addison

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1712
36 in. x 28 in. (914 mm x 711 mm)
Given by the Art Fund, 1945
Primary Collection
NPG 3193

Sitterback to top

Joseph Addison (1672-1719), Essayist and poet. Sitter in 24 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG 283: Joseph Addison (after)
NPG D11504: Joseph Addison (from same plate)
NPG D20398: Joseph Addison (from same plate)
NPG D19260: Joseph Addison (from same plate)
NPG D18885: Joseph Addison (source portrait)
NPG D33126: Joseph Addison (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Smartify image discovery app
Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 1
Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 108
Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 1
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 5
Uglow, Jenny, Character Sketches: Dr Johnson, His Club and Other Friends, 1998, p. 5

Portrait setback to top

The Kit-cat Club portraits: paintings by Sir Godfrey Kneller, circa 1697-1721

Subjects & Themesback to top

Oil
Painting

Events of 1712back to top

Current affairs

Whig MP, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford is found guilty by Parliament of 'a high breach of trust and notorious corruption', over reserving army forage contracts for banker, Robert Mann, and imprisoned in the Tower. Walpole would later become the first British Prime Minister in all but name in 1721.

Art and science

Mock epic poem, The Rape of the Lock, by satirical poet Alexander Pope is first published.
Ironmonger Thomas Newcomen demonstrates his invention of the atmospheric steam engine in London.
Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery, commissions a mechanical solar system model from mechanic John Rowley who names it an orrery.

International

Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford and John Robinson, bishop of Bristol, are appointed plenipotentiaries to the Utrecht peace congress. Foundations for peace between Britain and France, were based on preliminary agreements previously negotiated in London and Paris, the details of which were unbeknownst to the plenipotentiaries or Britain's allies.

Tell us more back to top

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