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Sir William Sidney Smith

1 of 2 portraits by Mrs Smith

Sir William Sidney Smith, by and published by Thomas Cheesman, sold by Mrs Smith, sold by Antonio Poggi, after John Opie, published 6 May 1796 - NPG D41785 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir William Sidney Smith

by and published by Thomas Cheesman, sold by Mrs Smith, sold by Antonio Poggi, after John Opie
stipple engraving, published 6 May 1796
10 7/8 in. x 8 3/8 in. (276 mm x 214 mm) plate size; 17 1/2 in. x 11 1/2 in. (444 mm x 292 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D41785

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Thomas Cheesman (1760-circa 1834), Engraver. Artist associated with 20 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
  • John Opie (1761-1807), Portrait and history painter. Artist associated with 148 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
  • Antonio Poggi (active 1776-1800), Printseller. Artist associated with 8 portraits.
  • Mrs Smith (active 1796), Printseller. Artist associated with 2 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D6791: Sir William Sidney Smith (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1796back to top

Current affairs

Birth of Princess Charlotte, only child of George, Prince of Wales and Princess Caroline whose marriage soon quickly and publicly degenerates.

Art and science

Fanny Burney publishes Camilla, one of several influential novels exploring social misunderstanding and the fashionable mode of sensibility.
Architect William Chambers completes the building of Somerset House.
Collector William Beckford, the richest man in England, begins construction of his gothic fantasy Fonthill Abbey.

International

Napoleon Bonaparte assumes command of the French armies in Italy and defeats the Austrians at Millesimo and the Piedmontese at Mondovi.
Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, arrives in India as a colonel.
John Adams is elected President of the United States, defeating Thomas Jefferson by three votes.

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