2 OF 6

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

2 of 6 portraits of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1704?
94 in. x 57 3/4 in. (2387 mm x 1467 mm) overall
Purchased, 1947
Primary Collection
NPG 3623

Sitterback to top

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend (1675-1738), Statesman and agriculturalist. Sitter in 6 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 297
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 620

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1704back to top

Current affairs

Lord High Treasurer, Sidney Godolphin, with considerable financial acumen,begins to shift the country's dependence from short-term borrowing to long-term. His management of the country's revenue allowed the government to fund John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough's successful fight against France.

Art and science

Mathematical scientist, Isaac Newton, recently made President of the Royal Society, presents his second major publication, Opticks, to the Society.
Daniel Defoe launches The Review, a periodical dedicated to news, specifically the war in Europe; it is published thrice weekly.

International

Battle of Blenheim marks a turning point in the War of the Spanish Succession, as allied armies under John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, and Princes Eugene of Savoy and Lewis of Baden defeat the Franco-Bavarian army on the River Danube.
Admiral George Rooke captures Gibraltar.

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.