18 OF 32

William, Duke of Gloucester

18 of 32 portraits of William, Duke of Gloucester

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1699 (1699)
13 5/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (346 mm x 251 mm) plate size; 14 in. x 10 1/4 in. (356 mm x 261 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11538

Sitterback to top

William, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700), Son of Queen Anne. Sitter in 32 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D9213: William, Duke of Gloucester (from same plate)
NPG D11928: William, Duke of Gloucester (from same plate)
NPG D7787: William, Duke of Gloucester (from same plate)
NPG D19663: William, Duke of Gloucester (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (Lion and Crown, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London)

Portrait setback to top

John Smith mezzotints, 1683-1729, Vol. I

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

Events of 1699back to top

Current affairs

Archbishop Thomas Tenison in his circular letter to the bishops, emphasises their duty to instruct and guide parishioners away from sinful practises and encourage a moral reformation.
Resignation of leading Whigs, opposed to a peacetime standing army, results in the disintegration and removal of the Whig Junto administration.

Art and science

Nicholas Hawksmoor meets playwright, Sir Jonathan Vanbrugh, the latter having just taken up architecture. The two architects would go on to collaborate on designs for Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.

International

A second expedition from Scotland arrives at its newly established colony, Darien, south of Panama. Financed by the Company of Scotland, backed by John Hay, Scotland's Lord Chancellor, the disastrous Darien venture was Scotland's attempt in mercantilism to alleviate the country from a period rife with famine.

Tell us more back to top

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