John Burgoyne

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

John Burgoyne

after Allan Ramsay
oil on canvas, after 1756
20 in. x 14 in. (508 mm x 356 mm)
Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 1960
Primary Collection
NPG 4158

Sitterback to top

John Burgoyne (1722-1792), 'Gentleman Johnny'; soldier and dramatist. Sitter in 8 portraits.

Artistback to top

Allan Ramsay (1713-1784), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 120 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The original of this portrait was painted by Allan Ramsay when Burgoyne was staying in Rome with his bride and depicts him standing inside the Colosseum.

Linked publicationsback to top

Smartify image discovery app
Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 26
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 89

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1756back to top

Current affairs

Government falls after criticism of its handling of the Seven Years War. Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle is succeeded by William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, who forms a ministry effectively run by William Pitt the Elder.

Art and science

Satiristist Thomas Rowlandson is born in Old Jewry in the City of London. His main rival James Gillray is born exactly a month later in Chelsea.
Completion of William Edwards' Old Bridge, Pontypridd; the longest single span bridge in Britain for the next forty years.

International

'Black Hole of Calcutta': a group of British prisoners, including East India Company servant John Zephaniah Holwell, are locked in a small, overcrowded dungeon overnight when Fort William in Calcutta is captured by troops of the Nawab of Bengal. Holwell claims 123 of the 146 prisoners died.
Outbreak of the Seven Years War in which Britain, Hanover, Prussia and Denmark are pitted against France, Austria, Russia and Sweden.

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