William Congreve
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William Congreve
studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1709
30 in. x 24 1/2 in. (762 mm x 622 mm)
Purchased, 1859
Primary Collection
NPG 67
Artistback to top
- Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 54
- Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 81
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 139
Events of 1709back to top
Current affairs
Political struggle develops between the Whigs and Queen Anne over the succession to the post of Lord High Admiral following the death of the queen's consort, Prince George. The Whig, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, eventually wins the post.Unusually cold winter in England and across Europe.
Art and science
Publisher and secretary of the Kit-cat Club, Jacob Tonson, senior and poet John Dryden, include Alexander Pope's first publication, his poem, Pastorals, in the sixth edition of their Miscellany Poems.Dramatist, Nicholas Rowe, edits the first modern edition of Shakespeare's plays.
The Tatler is founded by essayist Sir Richard Steele.
International
Ambassador to The Hague, Charles Townshend, Viscount Townshend, negotiates the barrier treaty with Holland, guaranteeing provision of fortresses in the Southern Netherlands and safeguarding the Hanoverian succession in England. Townshend also enters serious negotiations for peace with France.Battle of Malplaquet results in stalemate between the warring factions.
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