Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury, later Mrs Thrale)
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury, later Mrs Thrale)
by George Dance
pencil, 1793
9 3/4 in. x 7 1/2 in. (248 mm x 191 mm)
Purchased, 1898
Primary Collection
NPG 1151
Sitterback to top
- Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury, later Mrs Thrale) (1741-1821), Writer and friend of Dr Johnson. Sitter in 14 portraits.
Artistback to top
- George Dance (1741-1825), Architect and portrait draughtsman. Artist or producer associated with 322 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Older women tended not to observe every fashion and they are often shown wearing outmoded dress. In this drawing, the famous diarist, Hester Piozzi, is shown in profile, dominated by her wide, 'frizzed' hairstyle which was highly fashionable in the 1780s. It is tied with a simple 'bandeau' ribbon in keeping with the gradual trend towards the Neo-classical at this time. A tiny hat is perched on top of the whole ensemble. In contrast, the simplicity of English dress styles of the period prevails for the rest of her outfit; she wears an 'English dress' or robe à l'anglaise as it was known, made of linen or cotton with a delicate flower pattern. A starched piece of cloth is crossed over her chest to protect her modesty.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 381
- Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 144
- Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 75
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 495
- Uglow, Jenny, Character Sketches: Dr Johnson, His Club and Other Friends, 1998, p. 55
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Late Eighteenth Century Prints and Drawings (17 April 2004 - 5 September 2004)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1793back to top
Current affairs
Whig MP Charles Grey enters a motion for parliamentary reform but is defeated in the House of Commons.Art and science
Radical philosopher William Godwin publishes Political Justice, an inflamatory document that promoted rational anarchism. This crystallised a wider feeling that a new era of world peace and progress was beginning.Sir William Beechey is appointed Portrait Painter to her Majesty, Queen Charlotte.
International
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette are executed and the Reign of Terror begins.France declares war on Britain, Holland and then Spain. William Pitt addresses the House of Commons and Britain hesitantly joins the first coalition of anti-revolutionary European states to oppose the French threat.
Attack on Corsica in which Captain Horatio Nelson loses an eye.
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