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Spectres Visiting John Bull

7 of 23 portraits by Charles Williams

Identify sitters

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Spectres Visiting John Bull

by Charles Williams, after Elizabeth Walker
hand-coloured etching, published 23 February 1808
9 5/8 in. x 13 1/2 in. (243 mm x 343 mm) plate size; 10 in. x 14 1/4 in. (254 mm x 362 mm) paper size
Purchased, 2017
Reference Collection
NPG D47474

Sittersback to top

  • John Bull (active 1712-present), Fictitious epitomist of Englishness and British imperialism. Sitter associated with 151 portraits. Identify
  • Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Statesman; orator; author. Sitter associated with 107 portraits. Identify
  • Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 313 portraits. Identify
  • William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits. Identify

Artistsback to top

  • Elizabeth Walker (active 1791-1817), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits.
  • Charles Williams (active 1797-1830), Etcher. Artist or producer associated with 23 portraits.

Placesback to top

Events of 1808back to top

Current affairs

The 'Mary Anne Clarke affair' erupts in which Clarke, mistress of Frederick, Duke of York, was said to have used her influence with him to run a military promotions racket. Championed by radical government opponents, it ends in the Duke's resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the army.

Art and science

Sculptor John Flaxman begins Nelson memorial for St Paul's.
Richard Trevithick demonstrates model railway travelling at 12 mph.

International

After taking Portugal, Napoleon invades Spain, deposes the Spanish Bourbon monarchy and appoints his brother Joseph as the new King. The
Peninsular War then begins under Sir John Moore and Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, aiming to protect Portugal and exploit Iberian hatred of French tyranny.

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