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Unknown woman, formerly known as Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns (Jennings)), Duchess of Marlborough

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Unknown woman, formerly known as Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns (Jennings)), Duchess of Marlborough

by Michael Dahl
oil on canvas, circa 1700
29 1/2 in. x 24 3/4 in. (749 mm x 629 mm) oval
Purchased, 1884
Primary Collection
NPG 712

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Michael Dahl (1659-1743), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 166 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.

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Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1700back to top

Current affairs

The sudden death of Prince William, son of Princess Anne and George, Prince of Denmark, triggers a succession crisis. His birth had secured the succession of the crown to a Protestant, safeguarding the throne from any future claim by James II's Catholic son, James Francis.

Art and science

Dramatist, William Congreve's comedy The Way of the World premieres at Lincoln's Inn Theatre, receiving a mixed reception. It would achieve greater literary acclaim in modern times.
Poet, John Dryden, dies and is buried in Geoffrey Chaucer's grave in Westminster Abbey.

International

Diplomat and poet, Matthew Prior, secretly negotiates with Louis XIV, king of France, a second partition treaty concerning the Spanish Empire. However, following the death of Spanish ruler, Carlos II, the agreement collapses since neither Spanish or Austrian governments accept the treaty's proposals.

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