Isabella Molyneux (née Stanhope), Countess of Sefton

by James Watson, printed for and published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1 May 1771 (1769-1770)
15 1/4 in. x 10 7/8 in. (387 mm x 276 mm) plate size; 22 5/8 in. x 16 7/8 in. (575 mm x 429 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D40634

Sitterback to top

Isabella Molyneux (née Stanhope), Countess of Sefton (1748-1819), Wife of 1st Earl of Sefton. Sitter associated with 9 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1415 portraits, Sitter associated with 39 portraits.
Robert Sayer (1724 or 1725-1794), Printseller and publisher. Artist associated with 198 portraits.
James Watson (circa 1740-1790), Engraver. Artist associated with 193 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D40633: Isabella Molyneux (née Stanhope), Countess of Sefton (from same plate)
NPG D40635: Isabella Molyneux (née Stanhope), Countess of Sefton (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (53 Fleet Street, London)

Portrait setback to top

Fleming Collection

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

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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