1 OF 3

David Ricardo

1 of 3 portraits of David Ricardo

On loan to the National Portrait Gallery, London

David Ricardo

by Thomas Phillips
oil on canvas, circa 1821
36 1/8 in. x 28 in. (917 mm x 710 mm)
Lent by Christopher Ricardo, 2007
Primary Collection
NPG L241

Sitterback to top

David Ricardo (1772-1823), Political economist. Sitter in 3 portraits.

Artistback to top

Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 216 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This painting shows Ricardo, aged 49 in 1821, just two years before his relatively early death.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Oil
Painting

Events of 1821back to top

Current affairs

George IV is crowned at Westminster Abbey on 19 July and Queen Caroline is turned away from the ceremony. Two weeks later she dies reawakening popular sympathy for her cause. Riots break out at her funeral as the Government attempts to reroute the procession to avoid the popular reaction of the mob.

Art and science

Thomas De Quincey publishes Confessions of an English Opium Eater in the London Magazine. A creative commentary on his mental life, it gained instant notoriety.
The Manchester Guardian (later The Guardian) established.
Michael Faraday builds the first electric motor.

International

Napoleon dies.
Revolts in Wallachia and Moldovia against the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Turks. The rebels appeal to Tsar Alexander I for help and the Greek War of Independence begins.

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