John Howard

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John Howard

by Mather Brown
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1789
30 in. x 24 3/4 in. (761 mm x 628 mm)
Purchased, 1860
Primary Collection
NPG 97

Sitterback to top

  • John Howard (1726?-1790), Prison reformer. Sitter in 7 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Mather Brown (1761-1831), Portrait and history painter. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1789back to top

Current affairs

George III recovers from the previous year's illness. The 'Regency Crisis' and attendant political wrangling between the Tory Prime Minister William Pitt and the pro-Whig Prince of Wales end. Dismissed as a 'bilious attack', George's sickness was in fact the first sign of the mental health problems which led to the Prince of Wales's appointment as Regent in 1811.

Art and science

John Boydell's ambitious new Shakespeare Gallery opens in Pall Mall, displaying works by Britain's leading artists and attempting to combine urban entertainment with the promotion of British history painting.
Philosopher Jeremy Bentham publishes An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, outlining his 'greatest happiness principle'.

International

George Washington is elected first President of the United States.
The French Revolution begins. The storming of the Bastille on the 14 July marks the overthrow of the absolute monarchy in France. The uprising followed the establishment of a governing National Assembly of the people's representatives.

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