4 OF 5 
Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
4 of 5 portraits of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, possibly after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1746
6 7/8 in. x 5 3/4 in. (174 mm x 146 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D31409
Sitterback to top
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1674-1722), Statesman and bibliophile. Sitter in 5 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 435 portraits.
- John & Paul Knapton (active 1735-1789), Booksellers and publishers. Artist or producer associated with 290 portraits.
- Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
Events of 1746back to top
Current affairs
Jacobites are defeated by the Duke of Cumberland and his forces at the Battle of Culloden; the last battle to take place on British soil. Bonnie Prince Charlie escapes to France with the help of Flora MacDonald. His supporters the Earl of Kilmarnock and Lord Balmerino are beheaded.Dress Act bans Tartan and Highland dress.
Art and science
Scottish physician William Hunter begins his public lectures on anatomy.Italian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto, arrives in England, where he remains until 1755.
Quaker Minister and pharmacist William Cookworthy discovers kaolin or china clay in Cornwall and devises a way of making porcelain, which was previously imported from China.
International
War of the Austrian Succession: French forces led by Joseph François Dupleix capture the British East India Company's fort at Madras. One of its defenders, Robert Clive, makes his name by escaping his French captors.Frederick II of Prussia begins building his summer palace of Sans Souci at Potsdam. His three victories in 1745 cause him to be known as Frederick the Great.
Philip V of Spain dies and is succeeded by Ferdinand VI.
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