James Hay ('A travelling Govenour')

1 portrait of James Hay

by Arthur Pond, after Pier Leone Ghezzi
etching, 1737
15 1/2 in. x 9 7/8 in. (393 mm x 250 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1955
Reference Collection
NPG D35625

Sitterback to top

James Hay (active 1704-1729), Antiquary. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistsback to top

Pier Leone Ghezzi (1674-1755). Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits.
Arthur Pond (1701-1758), Painter and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 33 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1737back to top

Current affairs

Death of Queen Caroline, wife of George II, on 20 November.
Frederick, Prince of Wales quarrels with his father. The king expels him from court for criticising the government.
Theatrical Licensing Act introduces censorship, requiring plays to be submitted to the Lord Chancellor for approval and reducing the number of theatres.

Art and science

French portrait-painter Jean-Baptiste Van Loo arrives in England where he soon attracts prominent sitters such as Robert Walpole, Colley Cibber and William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield.
Venus passes in front of Mercury and is witnessed by amateur astronomer John Bevis at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. It remains the only such planetary occlusion that has been directly observed.

International

Colonist William Byrd founds Richmond, Virginia.
French Académie Royale de Peintre et de Sculpture begins its programme of public exhibitions.
Florence loses her independence when the last Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany dies.

Tell us more back to top

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