(Margaret) Georgiana Spencer (née Poyntz), Countess Spencer

by Thomas Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1772
13 5/8 in. x 10 5/8 in. (347 mm x 271 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D9191

Sitterback to top

(Margaret) Georgiana Spencer (née Poyntz), Countess Spencer (1737-1814), Philanthropist. Sitter in 7 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1415 portraits, Sitter associated with 39 portraits.
Thomas Watson (1750-1781), Engraver. Artist associated with 56 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D4279: (Margaret) Georgiana Spencer (née Poyntz), Countess Spencer (from same plate)

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

Events of 1772back to top

Current affairs

Somersett's Case: William Murrary, 1st Earl of Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice, rules that slaves could not be taken out of their country against their will after the case of American slave John Somersett is brought before him.
Royal Marriages Act requires the monarch's consent for the marriage of all members of the royal family.

Art and science

Chemist Daniel Rutherford demonstrates his method for isolating nitrogen from other gases.
Inventor James Watt produces the first micrometer to simply and accurately measure small distances. It is to prove crucial in the development of early machinery.
Britain's first trunk canal, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, opens for business.

International

Swiss pastor Johann Kaspar Lavater's Essays on Physiognomy revive the study of character through outward appearance.
Captain James Cook sets off, aboard HMS Resolution, on his second Pacific voyage.
First partition of Poland marks the start of Poland's disappearance as an independent state.

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