Lady Jane Grey

by George Noble, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell
line engraving, published 1 May 1802
11 3/4 in. x 8 in. (299 mm x 202 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1957
Reference Collection
NPG D36341

Sitterback to top

Lady Jane Dudley (née Grey) (1537-1554), Proclaimed Queen 1553. Sitter associated with 57 portraits.

Artistsback to top

John Boydell (1720-1804), Engraver and printseller. Artist associated with 128 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
Josiah Boydell (1752-1817), Artist and publisher. Artist associated with 66 portraits.
George Noble (active 1795-1828), Engraver. Artist associated with 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This print was produced for John Boydell, the most important print publisher of the time. His Shakespeare Gallery presented works by many of the most important painters of the day and was celebrated for its encouragement of a national school of history painting. As with other adaptations of the Heroologia print, Lady Jane's features are subtly adjusted to conform to contemporary ideals of beauty. The female figure in classical robes is Clio, the muse of history.

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (90 Cheapside, London; the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall, London)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1802back to top

Current affairs

After returning from Naples, Nelson tours England with the diplomat and antiquarian Sir William Hamilton and his wife Emma, with whom he was having an affair. With Nelson's status confirmed as a national hero, their reception outrivals that of the King.
Extensive strikes in government shipyards led by John Gast.

Art and science

Francis Jeffrey, MP and arbiter of literary taste, co-founds the Edinburgh Review, the influential Whig quarterly which voiced strong criticism of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey.
The Exchange, where stocks were traded, is rebuilt to cope with an increase in business during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

International

Peace of Amiens; Britain finally agrees to unpopular peace, leaving France the chief power in Europe and returning recent British colonial acquisitions.
Napoleon is declared First Consul of the French Empire for life.
English flock to see the international war plunder now on display at the Louvre in Paris.

Tell us more back to top

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