Head of Executioner

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Head of Executioner

by Richard Houston, after Prince Rupert, Count Palatine
mezzotint, 18th century
5 1/8 in. x 6 3/8 in. (129 mm x 161 mm) plate size; 7 3/4 in. x 9 3/8 in. (198 mm x 237 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D4995

Artistsback to top

  • Richard Houston (1721 or 1722-1775), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 193 portraits.
  • Prince Rupert, Count Palatine (1619-1682), Soldier and patron of science; son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia and Elizabeth of Bohemia. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait, Sitter associated with 45 portraits.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1701back to top

Current affairs

Exiled James II dies in France. Various parts of his body are interred in a number of churches around the country; his corpse is buried in the English church in the Faubourg St. Jacques.
The Act of Settlement is passed, securing the throne to the Protestant Hanoverians.

Art and science

Supported by the Bishop of London, Henry Compton, The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, founded by Thomas Bray, obtains a royal charter.
Publication of The Christian Hero, the first major work by essayist Richard Steele.

International

War of the Spanish Succession ensues. William III restores the grand alliance against France determined to prevent Louis XIV from installing his grandson, Philip of Anjou, upon the Spanish throne. The grand alliance, resolute upon a Habsburg succession in Spain, wished to prevent the country's unification with France.

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