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Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey; James Watt (on reverse)

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey; James Watt (on reverse)

by William Wyon, after William Bain, and after Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
bronze medal, 1843
2 1/8 in. (55 mm overall
Given by Art Union of London, 1875
Reference Collection
NPG D2912

Sittersback to top

Artistsback to top

  • William Bain (active 1822-1862), Medallist. Artist associated with 3 portraits.
  • Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist associated with 267 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.
  • William Wyon (1795-1851), Medallist. Artist associated with 4 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1843back to top

Current affairs

Sir Henry Cole commissions 1,000 copies of the first Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley. Cole would later be instrumental in staging the Great Exhibition, and in developing science and art education in Britain.
Nelson's statue, by E.H. Bailey, is placed on top of its column in Trafalgar Square.

Art and science

The Theatre Regulations Act is passed, abolishing the privileged position of the 'major' theatres which held letters patent from the crown, allowing all theatres to perform 'legitimate' theatre.
First volume of Ruskin's Modern Painters published, praising Turner and demanding that artists should demonstrate 'truth to nature' in their work. Ruskin is a great inspiration to the Pre-Raphaelites.

International

The first experimental telegraph wire is constructed between Baltimore and Washington, using Morse code to send a message. The code, in which pulses of current deflect an electromagnet, moving a marker and producing written codes on a strip of paper, had been invented by Samuel Morse in 1838. The line officially opens in 1844.

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