Henry Purcell







© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Henry Purcell
by Robert White
line engraving, circa 1683
9 5/8 in. x 6 1/2 in. (244 mm x 165 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D5218
Artistback to top
- Robert White (1645-1703), Engraver. Artist associated with 608 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Events of 1683back to top
Current affairs
Rye House Plot, a conspiracy to murder the king and his heir, James, Duke of York, is leaked to the government by minor conspirator, Josiah Keeling. Arrests follow; some conspirators are executed, others pardoned while several flee the country.Worst ever recorded frost in England freezes the Thames.
Art and science
England's first public museum, the Ashmolean Museum, is opened by Oxford University to house a substantial collection donated by the Antiquary, Elias Ashmole.International
Financial constraints forces Charles II to decide to relinquish Tangiers, an English possession since 1661, unable to continue its defence against the Moors. Admiral, George Legge, Baron Dartmouth, is commissioned to oversee the port's demolition. Diarist, Samuel Pepys accompanies Dartmouth as his secretary during the expedition.Tell us more back to top
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