Fanny Kemble
2 of 3 portraits of Fanny Kemble
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Fanny Kemble
by and published by John Jones, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 23 March 1784 (1783)
14 7/8 in. x 11 in. (379 mm x 279 mm) plate size; 16 in. x 12 1/8 in. (407 mm x 308 mm) paper size
Given by Margaret Julia Maria Hubbard (née Grubbe), 1957
Reference Collection
NPG D36818
Sitterback to top
- Frances ('Fanny') Kemble (1759-1812), Actress; sister of Sarah Siddons, and of John and Charles Kemble. Sitter in 3 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John Jones (circa 1745-1797), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 93 portraits.
- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 1425 portraits, Sitter associated with 40 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D36819: Fanny Kemble (based on same portrait)
- NPG D14213: Fanny Kemble (based on same portrait)
Events of 1784back to top
Current affairs
Theatre proprietor and postal reformer John Palmer runs the first mail coach in England, between Bristol and London. A three day journey is now completed in 16 hours.Commutation Act reduces punitive duties on tea to combat smuggling.
Art and science
Aeronaut James Sadler makes the first hot air balloon flight in Britain, from Oxford to Woodeaton.Chemist Henry Cavendish's paper Experiments on Air reveals the composition of water.
Writer Samuel Johnson dies.
Joshua Reynolds succeeds Allan Ramsay as Painter to the King.
International
Thomas Jefferson's Land Ordinance passed by the United States' Continental Congress, coming into effect the following year. It allows for the sale of land in the largely unmapped west of the country.Britain receives its first bales of cotton from the United States since before the War of American Independence.
William Pitt's India Act creates a Board of Control to oversee the affairs of the British East India Company and centralise power.
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