William Pitt

William Pitt, by Joseph Nollekens, 1808 - NPG 120 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Pitt

by Joseph Nollekens
marble bust, 1808
28 in. (711 mm) high
Given by Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville, 1861
Primary Collection
NPG 120

On display in Room 17 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 173 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Joseph Nollekens (1737-1823), Sculptor. Artist associated with 19 portraits, Sitter in 14 portraits.

This portraitback to top

One of many versions of the posthumous bust which Nollekens based on Pitt's death mask and on the portrait by John Hoppner; 74 marble busts were sold at 120 guineas each.

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Audio Guide
  • Smartify image discovery app
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 496
  • Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 393

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1808back to top

Current affairs

The 'Mary Anne Clarke affair' erupts in which Clarke, mistress of Frederick, Duke of York, was said to have used her influence with him to run a military promotions racket. Championed by radical government opponents, it ends in the Duke's resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the army.

Art and science

Sculptor John Flaxman begins Nelson memorial for St Paul's.
Richard Trevithick demonstrates model railway travelling at 12 mph.

International

After taking Portugal, Napoleon invades Spain, deposes the Spanish Bourbon monarchy and appoints his brother Joseph as the new King. The
Peninsular War then begins under Sir John Moore and Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, aiming to protect Portugal and exploit Iberian hatred of French tyranny.

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