John Dryden

1 portrait of John Dryden

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation Close

John Dryden

by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after John Riley
line engraving, circa 1709 (1683)
6 7/8 in. x 4 3/8 in. (174 mm x 110 mm) plate size; 7 5/8 in. x 4 5/8 in. (195 mm x 117 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1941
Reference Collection
NPG D42577

Sitterback to top

  • John Dryden (1631-1700), Dramatist and Poet Laureate. Sitter associated with 31 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • John Riley (1646-1691), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 101 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
  • Pieter Stevens van Gunst (1659-1724), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 97 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Events of 1709back to top

Current affairs

Political struggle develops between the Whigs and Queen Anne over the succession to the post of Lord High Admiral following the death of the queen's consort, Prince George. The Whig, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, eventually wins the post.
Unusually cold winter in England and across Europe.

Art and science

Publisher and secretary of the Kit-cat Club, Jacob Tonson, senior and poet John Dryden, include Alexander Pope's first publication, his poem, Pastorals, in the sixth edition of their Miscellany Poems.
Dramatist, Nicholas Rowe, edits the first modern edition of Shakespeare's plays.
The Tatler is founded by essayist Sir Richard Steele.

International

Ambassador to The Hague, Charles Townshend, Viscount Townshend, negotiates the barrier treaty with Holland, guaranteeing provision of fortresses in the Southern Netherlands and safeguarding the Hanoverian succession in England. Townshend also enters serious negotiations for peace with France.
Battle of Malplaquet results in stalemate between the warring factions.


Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.