John Hunter

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

John Hunter

by John Jackson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1813, based on a work of 1786
55 1/2 in. x 43 1/4 in. (1410 mm x 1099 mm)
Purchased, 1859
Primary Collection
NPG 77

Sitterback to top

John Hunter (1728-1793), Surgeon and anatomist. Sitter in 13 portraits.

Artistsback to top

John Jackson (1778-1831), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 231 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.
Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1415 portraits, Sitter associated with 39 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is a copy of portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, made in 1786. Hunter is shown seated at his writing table absorbed in thought, surrounded by medical specimens and books.

Related worksback to top

NPG D18821: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D19254: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D20215: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D9006: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D36394: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D36395: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D36396: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D17261: John Hunter (based on same portrait)
NPG D14236: John Hunter (based on same portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Smartify image discovery app
Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 274
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 322

Placesback to top

Place portrayed: United Kingdom: England, London (sitter's office, London)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1786back to top

Current affairs

Philosopher and politician Edmund Burke instigates impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of Bengal after concerns about the moral standards of the British in India are raised.
Prime Minister William Pitt appoints commissioners for the reduction of the national debt and establishes a sinking fund of £1 million a year.
Government approves the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay.

Art and science

Robert Burns publishes Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect bringing him immediate success across the country.
Engraver and publisher John Boydell initiates plans for his Shakespeare Gallery in an effort to establish a school of British history painting.
Merchant David Dale establishes New Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, as a model cotton milling community.

International

General Charles Cornwallis succeeds Warren Hastings as Governor-General in India.
Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
Francisco Goya is appointed court painter to the Spanish king Charles III.

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