'Mr. Powell and Mr. Bensley in the Characters of King John and Hubert'
2 of 8 portraits of William ('Gentleman') Smith
'Mr. Powell and Mr. Bensley in the Characters of King John and Hubert'
by Valentine Green, published by William Wynne Ryland, after John Hamilton Mortimer
mezzotint, published 26 March 1771
18 1/8 in. x 22 1/4 in. (459 mm x 566 mm) plate size; 19 1/4 in. x 23 5/8 in. (488 mm x 601 mm) paper size
Given by Westminster Public Library
Reference Collection
NPG D40461
Sittersback to top
- Robert Bensley (circa 1738-circa 1817), Actor. Sitter in 5 portraits. Identify
- William Powell (1735-1769), Actor. Sitter in 5 portraits. Identify
- William ('Gentleman') Smith (1730-1819), Actor. Sitter associated with 8 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- Valentine Green (1739-1813), Mezzotint engraver. Artist or producer associated with 150 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
- John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-1779), History painter. Artist or producer associated with 15 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.
- William Wynne Ryland (baptised 1733-1783), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 18 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
Events of 1771back to top
Current affairs
Artist Benjamin West exhibits his celebrated modern history painting The Death of Wolfe at the Royal Academy, commemorating the death of General James Wolfe at the 1759 Battle of Quebec during the Seven Years' War. The painting creates a sensation and George III commissions a copy.Reporting of parliamentary debates is permitted.
Art and science
Richard Arkwright begins to develop cotton mills at Cromford in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire; one of the earliest factory complexes.Botanist James Robertson makes the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis.
Encyclopedia Britannica is completed with 2,931 pages.
First recorded cricket match is played in Horsham, West Sussex.
International
First voyage of James Cook ends. HMS Endeavour anchors in the port of Deal, Kent following its three-year global circumnavigation.Spain cedes the Falkland Islands to Britain.
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