Queen Mary II

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1702
7 1/2 in. x 5 5/8 in. (191 mm x 143 mm)
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D7759

Sitterback to top

Queen Mary II (1662-1694), Reigned with William III 1689-94. Sitter associated with 97 portraits.

Artistsback to top

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

Related worksback to top

NPG D11923: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D7763: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D31066: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D20344: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D10665: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D7758: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
NPG D7764: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

Events of 1702back to top

Current affairs

William III dies and is succeeded by Anne, his sister-in-law, the second daughter of James II and Anne Hyde. Committed to the Church of England and swayed towards Tory values, the queen would enjoy considerable popularity.
The general election sweeps the Tories to power in a landslide victory.

Art and science

Writer, Daniel Defoe, publishes the Shortest Way with the Dissenters. The pamphlet is considered critical of the Anglican Church and Defoe is eventually arrested for seditious libel and briefly imprisoned.
The Daily Courant, Britain's first daily newspaper consisting of one page with two columns, is printed by Elizabeth Mallet.

International

Admiral George Rooke overwhelmingly defeats a French squadron escorting a Spanish silver fleet from South America, at the naval Battle of Vigo Bay.
In the War of the Spanish Succession, John Churchill, Captain-General of the Forces, forces the French to withdraw from the River Maas.

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