Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth
17 of 40 portraits by Katharine Read
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth
by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Katharine Read
mezzotint, published 1 October 1769
19 7/8 in. x 13 7/8 in. (505 mm x 353 mm) plate size; 24 1/8 in. x 17 1/4 in. (612 mm x 439 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1964
Reference Collection
NPG D40622
Sitterback to top
- Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth (died 1779), Actress and singer; second wife of 2nd Earl of Seaforth. Sitter in 6 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Richard Houston (1721 or 1722-1775), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 193 portraits.
- Katharine Read (1723-1778), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 40 portraits.
- Robert Sayer (1724 or 1725-1794), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 198 portraits.
Events of 1769back to top
Current affairs
Radical John Wilkes is expelled from Parliament once again, on the grounds that he was an outlaw when he was voted in. He is re-elected by his Middlesex constituents, then expelled and re-elected twice more, until Parliament declares his opponent, Henry Luttrell, the winner.First of 69 anonymous Letters of Junius appears in the Public Advertiser, exposing political corruption. The politician Sir Philip Francis is now believed to have been responsible.
Art and science
Josiah Wedgwood opens his Etruria Works for the manufacture of pottery.Inventor Richard Arkwright patents a spinning frame able to weave fabric mechanically.
Gordon's London Dry Gin is produced for the first time.
First Royal Academy exhibition is held.
Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage is first published.
International
Captain Cook observes the transit of Venus in Tahiti while his passengers, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, collect valuable specimens of Pacific flora. The expedition travels on to New Zealand where Cook begins charting the country's entire coastline.Treaty of Madras ends the First Anglo-Mysore War but fails to settle dispute.
French inventor Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot tests a steam wagon, probably the first working mechanical vehicle.
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