1 OF 86

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

1 of 86 portraits of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

possibly by John Closterman, after John Riley
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1685-1690
29 5/8 in. x 24 3/4 in. (754 mm x 630 mm)
Purchased, 1878
Primary Collection
NPG 501

Sitterback to top

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), Soldier and statesman. Sitter associated with 86 portraits.

Artistsback to top

John Closterman (1660-1711), Artist. Artist associated with 58 portraits.
John Riley (1646-1691), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 101 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Linked publicationsback to top

Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 158
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 411

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1685back to top

Current affairs

Charles II dies, his heir, Catholic brother, James II, succeeds to the throne. Despite deep distrust by many Protestants, he initially experiences unexpected popularity.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, leads the Monmouth Rebellion ambitious to seize the throne. Following his defeat at Sedgemoor, Monmouth is executed at Tower Hill.

Art and science

Opera Universa, by physician Thomas Sydenham, considered the father of English medicine, is published in London.
Organist, Henry Purcell composes, My heart is inditing, for the coronation of James II and his queen, Mary of Modena.
Writer on dentistry, Charles Allen publishes the earliest known English book on dentistry.

International

The Edict of Fontainebleau is issued by Louis XIV revoking the Edict of Nantes which gave Huguenots a right to practice their religion, free from persecution. Although Huguenots had steadily left France since the Dragonnades in 1681, this edict essentially ended official religious toleration in France.

Tell us more back to top

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