A Political Fair
1 portrait of Britannia







© National Portrait Gallery, London
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A Political Fair
by Charles Williams, published by Thomas Tegg, after George Murgatroyd ('Moutard') Woodward
hand-coloured etching, published 1 October 1807
9 1/4 in. x 13 3/8 in. (235 mm x 341 mm) paper size
Purchased, 2018
Reference Collection
NPG D48635
Sittersback to top
- Britannia, Allegory of a nation, emblem of empire, and patriotic icon. Sitter associated with 28 portraits.
- John Bull (active 1712-present), Fictitious epitomist of Englishness and British imperialism. Sitter associated with 151 portraits.
- Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of France 1804-14. Sitter associated with 90 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Thomas Tegg (1776-1846), Publisher. Artist associated with 9 portraits.
- Charles Williams (active 1797-1830), Etcher. Artist associated with 23 portraits.
- George Murgatroyd ('Moutard') Woodward (1760-1809), Caricaturist and author. Artist associated with 2 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1807back to top
Current affairs
Act is passed abolishing the British slave trade after vigorous campaigning by hundreds of thousands of people led by Thomas Clarkson and championed in parliament by reformer William Wilberforce.Resignation of 'Ministry of all the Talents'. Whig politician William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, Duke of Portland, succeeds as Prime Minister.
Art and science
Thomas Hope publishes Household Furniture and Interior Decoration; influential in promoting Greek and especially Egyptian models as the epitome of fashionable style.International
French invasion of Spain and Portugal.Britain occupies Copenhagen and captures the Danish fleet.
Napoleon begins to wage an economic battle against Britain, recognising the impossibility of victory at sea because of Britain's superior naval power. He aims to close the entire European coastline to British trade.
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