William Pitt

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William Pitt

by John Murphy, published by Gaetano Testolini, after William Miller
mezzotint, published 1 May 1797
20 1/4 in. x 14 1/4 in. (515 mm x 361 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1949
Reference Collection
NPG D40242

Sitterback to top

  • William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • William Miller (circa 1740-circa 1810), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 9 portraits.
  • John Murphy (active 1778-1817), Printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 15 portraits.
  • Gaetano Testolini (active 1793-1822), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.

Placesback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1797back to top

Current affairs

The Anti-Jacobin periodical makes its debut followed by The Anti-Jacobin Review the year after. Edited by William Gifford, it acted as a Tory mouthpiece against the 'New Morality' associated with republicanism.
Bank crisis results in the temporary suspension of payments by the Bank of England leading to a nationwide currency shortage.

Art and science

Robert Southey, later Poet Laureate, publishes his collected Poems, exploring contemporary interest in mythology and non-European cultures.
Ann Radcliffe publishes her popular gothic novel The Italian. One of the most imaginative novelists of the period, she helped introduce readers to the romantic sense of the supernatural.

International

Battle of Cape St Vincent. Admiral John Jervis leads the fleet which defeat the Spanish.
Failure of a small French invasion in Pembrokeshire.
Naval mutinies at Spithead and Nore.
Attack on the Canary Islands in which Rear-Admiral Nelson loses an arm.

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