William Warburton

by Thomas Burford, after Charles Philips
mezzotint, mid 18th century (circa 1737)
13 3/4 in. x 9 3/4 in. (350 mm x 249 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1952
Reference Collection
NPG D37839

Sitterback to top

William Warburton (1698-1779), Bishop of Gloucester, critic and writer. Sitter associated with 11 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Thomas Burford (circa 1710-circa 1776), Printseller. Artist or producer associated with 16 portraits.
Charles Philips (1708-1747), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 18 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D4611: William Warburton (from same plate)
NPG D7566: William Warburton (from same plate)
NPG D7567: William Warburton (from same plate)

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

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.

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