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John Flamsteed

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Flamsteed

by George Vertue, after Thomas Gibson
line engraving, 1721 (1712)
12 3/4 in. x 8 3/4 in. (323 mm x 221 mm) plate size; 13 1/4 in. x 9 1/8 in. (338 mm x 233 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1864
Reference Collection
NPG D33977

Sitterback to top

  • John Flamsteed (1646-1719), The first Royal Astronomer. Sitter in 8 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Thomas Gibson (circa 1680-1751), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 62 portraits.
  • George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist associated with 864 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This engraving by George Vertue was published to illustrate Flamsteed's star catalogue in 1725.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1721back to top

Current affairs

Robert Walpole becomes the first British Prime Minister and holds the post for an unrivalled tenure of twenty-one years.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer John Aislabie is imprisoned in the Tower of London and found guilty of corruption for his part in the collapse of the South Sea Company.

Art and science

Artist William Hogarth produces his first satirical engraving The South Sea Scheme in response to the South Sea Bubble of the previous year.
Writer and diplomat's wife, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu introduces the smallpox inoculation to Britain. The Princess of Wales is persuaded to test the treatment and the procedure becomes fashionable.

International

Johann Sebastian Bach writes the six Brandenburg Concertos for his employer at the court of Köthen.
Montesquieu completes his best-selling Lettres Persanes (Persian Letters); a critical view of contemporary western politics, religion and society.
Treaty of Nystad in which Sweden cedes Estonia to Russia with most of Latvia. Russia becomes the dominant regional power and Peter the Great has himself proclaimed 'Emperor of all Russia'.

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