Stephen Hales

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Stephen Hales

studio of Thomas Hudson
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1759
30 1/8 in. x 25 in. (765 mm x 635 mm)
Purchased, 1920
Primary Collection
NPG 1861

Sitterback to top

  • Stephen Hales (1677-1761), Natural philosopher, chemist and inventor. Sitter in 6 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Thomas Hudson (1701-1779), Portrait painter and art collector. Artist or producer associated with 182 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Conceivably an early or contemporary copy of a lost original. Hales wears a black gown and the plain white clerical bands of a cleric.
More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

Related worksback to top

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Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1759back to top

Current affairs

British Museum opens to the public at Montagu House, based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew are created.
David Garrick writes Heart of Oak, the official march of the Royal Navy, to celebrate a year of British victories.

Art and science

First volume of Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy is published.
Artist Thomas Gainsborough moves to Bath.
A Journey Through Europe; or, A Play of Geography, the earliest British board game, is produced and sold.
Clockmaker John Harrison produces his 'No. 1 sea watch', the first successful marine chronometer.

International

Seven Years' War: British commander General James Wolfe is victorious at the Battle of Quebec and takes Quebec city, but dies in the engagement. At the Battle of Quiberon Bay, off the coast of Brittany, the British fleet are victorious over the French.
Portuguese expel the Jesuits from Brazil, beginning a widespread reaction against the order in Catholic Europe.

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