William Cheselden

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Cheselden

by Jonathan Richardson
graphite on vellum, circa 1730
5 1/2 in. x 4 5/8 in. (140 mm x 118 mm)
Purchased, 1974
Primary Collection
NPG 4995

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Jonathan Richardson (1667-1745), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 126 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait is of the anatomist and eminent surgeon William Cheselden, who was one of the closest friends of the artist, Jonathan Richardson. It is one of a series of small chalk and graphite drawings of friends and acquaintances that Richardson made in his retirement. Some of these images were drawn from memory and together, they represent a sustained project in recording friendships across Richardson's whole life. Drawing was the perfect medium for this project as it allowed Richardson to produce a large number of images quickly and was closely associated with friendship and intimacy.

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Events of 1730back to top

Current affairs

John and Charles Wesley form a Holy Club at Oxford which becomes the cradle of Methodism.
Glasite sect, which promoted a form of primitive Christianity, established in Scotland by John Glas.
Last native roe deer in England is reputedly killed in Northumberland.

Art and science

French sculptor Louis-Francois Roubiliac settles in London from Paris.
The Daily Advertiser is established as the first newspaper funded by advertising.
Mathematician and inventor John Hadley invents the octant, a navigating device which precedes the sextant.

International

Frederick, Crown Prince of Prussia, tries to flee to Britain but is imprisoned by his father Frederick William I.
Pope Clement XII succeeds Benedict XIII as the 246th pope.
Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius observes the aurora borealis and suggests the existence of the earth's magnetic field.

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