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Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney

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Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney

sold by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1680-1684 (circa 1650-1654)
14 1/4 in. x 11 in. (363 mm x 280 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D29952

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Alexander Browne (active 1659-died 1706), Artist, publisher, printseller, auctioneer and dealer. Artist associated with 149 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
  • Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 842 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Mass-produced, unsigned etchings such as this would have been circulated widely through urban printshops. They played an important part in promoting the nationwide 'cult of Nelson' which had grown up around the hero during his lifetime and which intensified after his death. Based on a painting by Samuel Drummond, the composition of this etching is particularly dramatic. Billowing sails and clouds of smoke fill the air as a wounded Nelson is carried down to the lower deck in a scene reminiscent of traditional representations of Christ being taken down from the cross.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D11425: Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney (from same plate)
  • NPG D13677: Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney (from same plate)
  • NPG D29953: Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney (from same plate)
  • NPG D41801: Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1680back to top

Current affairs

William Howard, Viscount Stafford, is convicted of impeachment and beheaded on account of his alleged involvement in the Popish Plot.
Whigs' sponsorship of a pope-burning procession, for the second consecutive year, supports their campaign to exclude James, Duke of York from the throne.

Art and science

Writer, John Bunyan, publishes, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman. Novelistic in form and conceived as a dialogue between two gentlemen, the book was intended as a sequel to the first part of The Pilgrim's Progress.

International

Revelations surface of a Catholic uprising in Ireland with French support. The government launches an inquiry, ultimately leading to the execution of Oliver Plunket, Archbishop of Armagh.
Secretary of State, Robert Spencer, in adopting an anti-French foreign policy, forges a defensive Anglo-Spanish treaty while seeking an alliance with the Dutch.

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