John Bull's first Visit to his Old Friend the New Secretary (John Bull; Charles James Fox)

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Bull's first Visit to his Old Friend the New Secretary (John Bull; Charles James Fox)

by Charles Williams, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 3 March 1806
9 7/8 in. x 13 7/8 in. (250 mm x 353 mm) plate size; 11 in. x 16 3/8 in. (278 mm x 416 mm) paper size
Purchased, 2017
Reference Collection
NPG D47471

Sittersback to top

  • John Bull (active 1712-present), Fictitious epitomist of Englishness and British imperialism. Sitter associated with 151 portraits.
  • Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 313 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Samuel William Fores (baptised 1761-1838), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 119 portraits.
  • Charles Williams (active 1797-1830), Etcher. Artist or producer associated with 23 portraits.

Placesback to top

Events of 1806back to top

Current affairs

William Pitt dies in January and his lifelong opponent Charles James Fox dies in September. Pitt is succeeded by William Wyndham, Baron Grenville, who forms the 'Ministry of all the Talents' coalition .
Prince of Wales instigates the 'Delicate Investigation'; a Parliamentary enquiry into claims that his wife Caroline had an illegitimate child.

Art and science

John Constable embarks on a formative tour of the Lakes and makes landscape studies of the Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn.
Turner exhibits his Thames views to acclaim at his own London gallery.
Humphrey Davy discovers the elements potassium and sodium by passing an electrical current through molten compounds.

International

Soprano Angelica Catalani arrives from Italy to make her London debut, amazing audiences with her showpiece arias.
Napoleon turns his forces east against Austria, Russia and Prussia and enjoys a wave of French victories.
British attack on Buenos Aires under General William Beresford fails.

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