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James Figg

1 of 2 portraits of James Figg

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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James Figg

by John Faber Jr, after John Ellys
mezzotint, circa 1727-1729
13 3/8 in. x 9 1/2 in. (339 mm x 241 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1952
Reference Collection
NPG D1948

Sitterback to top

  • James Figg (1684-1734), Prize-fighter. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • John Ellys (1701-1757), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 26 portraits.
  • John Faber Jr (circa 1695-1756), Engraver and portrait and miniature painter. Artist associated with 816 portraits.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1727back to top

Current affairs

George I dies on 11 January. George II is proclaimed king; the second Hanoverian on the British throne. Handel composes Zadok the Priest for his coronation which has been sung at every British coronation since.
Royal Bank of Scotland is founded by Royal Charter in Edinburgh.
Janet (Jenny) Horne of Loth, Sutherland, becomes the last alleged witch to be executed in Britain when she is burned at the stake in Dornoch, Scotland.

Art and science

Artist Thomas Gainsborough is born in Sudbury, Suffolk in May.
Architect William Kent publishes Some Designs of Mr Inigo Jones, including additional designs by himself and his patron Lord Burlington.German composer George Frideric Handel becomes a British subject.
Scientist Sir Isaac Newton dies.

International

Composer Johann Sebastian Bach conducts the first performance of his St Matthew Passion in St Thomas's church, Leipzig.
Spain besieges Gibraltar in order to recapture the territory from the British.

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