Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford
1 portrait by Jean Baptiste van Loo
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, published 1 January 1788
19 7/8 in. x 13 3/4 in. (505 mm x 350 mm) plate size; 23 1/2 in. x 18 1/8 in. (596 mm x 461 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1869
Reference Collection
NPG D39367
Sitterback to top
- Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745), Prime Minister. Sitter in 27 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John Boydell (1720-1804), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 132 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
- Josiah Boydell (1752-1817), Artist and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 69 portraits.
- Jean Baptiste van Loo (1684-1745), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 57 portraits.
- James Watson (circa 1740-1790), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 193 portraits.
Events of 1788back to top
Current affairs
Parliament begins an investigation into the slave trade, led by reformers Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce.Regency Crisis; George III's madness is announced provoking a political storm.
Former Governor-General of Bengal Warren Hastings' trial begins before the House of Lords.
Henry Benedict Stuart becomes the new Stuart claimant to the British throne.
Art and science
Artist Thomas Gainsborough dies.First edition of The Times newspaper is published in London.
Scottish engineer and inventor William Symington demonstrates the first paddle steamer on Dalswinton Loch near Dumfries.
Robert Burns writes his version of the Scots poem Auld Lang Syne.
International
Ministers of the French King, Louis XVI, reluctantly announce that the Estates General will meet the following year, for the first time since 1614.United States constitution comes into force when New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify it.
First Fleet reaches Australia, anchoring in Botany Bay. Arthur Phillip, selecting a suitable site for the first Australian penal colony, names the place Sydney Cove.
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