James Thomson

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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James Thomson

by Unknown artist
marble relief, after 1748
21 in. x 18 in. (533 mm x 457 mm) oval
Purchased, 1972
Primary Collection
NPG 4896

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This posthumous tablet, with thrusting chin, seems to be based on the portrait by David Patoun. Its form and condition suggests that it was made for an outdoor setting. It is incised Scotland gave me birth / England a Grave / I Sung the Seasons.
More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

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Events of 1748back to top

Current affairs

In his role as magistrate, Henry Fielding organises the forerunner of the Bow Street Runners, effectively London's first police force.
Fire in the City of London causes over a million pounds worth of damage.

Art and science

Tobias Smollett publishes The Adventures of Roderick Random.
Samuel Richardson publishes Clarissa; the longest novel in the English language.
Philosopher David Hume publishes An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.
Physician John Fothergill's pamphlet Account of the Sore Throat attended with Ulcers contains the first description of diphtheria.



International

Ancient Roman city of Pompeii is rediscovered near Naples, further fuelling a resurgence of interest in the antique among British collectors such as the diplomat Sir William Hamilton.
Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle ends the War of the Austrian Succession.
French writer Montesquieu anonymously publishes his influential treatise on political theory L'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws).

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