Sir Humphry Davy, Bt

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

by Thomas Phillips
oil on canvas, 1821
36 in. x 28 in. (914 mm x 711 mm)
Purchased, 1932
Primary Collection
NPG 2546

Sitterback to top

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt (1778-1829), Natural philosopher. Sitter in 20 portraits.

Artistback to top

Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 216 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Painted for Davy's friend, John Lambton, later Earl of Durham, who had worked with him at Bristol as a student under the care of Dr Beddoes. In a frame of a type frequently used by Phillips, ornamented in a Regency foliage design in compo.

Related worksback to top

NPG D20426: Sir Humphry Davy, Bt (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

Hart-Davis, Adam, Chain Reactions, 2000, p. 167
Holmes, Richard, The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2013, p. 88
Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 73
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 168
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 148

Subjects & Themesback to top

Oil
Painting

Events of 1821back to top

Current affairs

George IV is crowned at Westminster Abbey on 19 July and Queen Caroline is turned away from the ceremony. Two weeks later she dies reawakening popular sympathy for her cause. Riots break out at her funeral as the Government attempts to reroute the procession to avoid the popular reaction of the mob.

Art and science

Thomas De Quincey publishes Confessions of an English Opium Eater in the London Magazine. A creative commentary on his mental life, it gained instant notoriety.
The Manchester Guardian (later The Guardian) established.
Michael Faraday builds the first electric motor.

International

Napoleon dies.
Revolts in Wallachia and Moldovia against the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Turks. The rebels appeal to Tsar Alexander I for help and the Greek War of Independence begins.

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