Matthew Boulton
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Matthew Boulton
attributed to Anne Jessop, Lady Beechey, after Sir William Beechey
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, circa 1799, based on a work of circa 1799
3 1/8 in. x 2 1/2 in. (79 mm x 64 mm) oval
Purchased, 1911
Primary Collection
NPG 1595
Sitterback to top
- Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), Industrialist and entrepreneur. Sitter in 14 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Anne Jessop, Lady Beechey (1764-1833), Artist and miniature painter; wife of Sir William Beechey. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait, Sitter in 1 portrait.
- Sir William Beechey (1753-1839), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 252 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Hart-Davis, Adam, Chain Reactions, 2000, p. 43
- Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 65
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 69
- Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 107 Read entry
Matthew Boulton, founder of the famous Soho manufacturing works in Birmingham, is better known for his partnership with James Watt and the development of the steam engine. His portrait by Sir William Beechey was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1799 and is still in the family collection in Wales. This miniature is a copy, probably by Beechey's wife, Anne Phyllis, a talented artist herself.
Events of 1799back to top
Current affairs
The Prince of Wales is reconciled with his secret wife Maria Fitzherbert.Corresponding Societies Act is passed prohibiting certain named political groups including the radical London Corresponding Society and the United Irishmen.
Art and science
The Swiss artist Henry Fuseli, resident in England since 1778, is appointed Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy.The conservative educator Hannah More publishes her Strictures on Female Education which criticised demands for women's rights while proposing an active role for them within religious and moral movements.
International
Successful defence of Acre in the Levant is led by William Sidney Smith.British expedition to Holland, led by General Ralph Abercromby, ends in evacuation after allies defeated at Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom.
Fall of the ruling Directory in France. Napoleon seizes power.
The Rosetta Stone is discovered in Egypt.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.