Olaudah Equiano ('Gustavus Vassa')

by Daniel Orme, published by Olaudah Equiano ('Gustavus Vassa'), after W. Denton
stipple engraving, published 1 March 1789
6 1/8 in. x 3 3/4 in. (156 mm x 95 mm)
Reference Collection
NPG D8546

On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

Olaudah Equiano ('Gustavus Vassa') (circa 1745-1797), Writer and slavery abolitionist. Sitter in 1 portrait, Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.

Artistsback to top

W. Denton (active 1792-1795). Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.
Olaudah Equiano ('Gustavus Vassa') (circa 1745-1797), Writer and slavery abolitionist. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Daniel Orme (1766-1837), Painter and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 15 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

100 Writers, p. 44
Rab MacGibbon, National Portrait Gallery: The Collection, p. 50

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1789back to top

Current affairs

George III recovers from the previous year's illness. The 'Regency Crisis' and attendant political wrangling between the Tory Prime Minister William Pitt and the pro-Whig Prince of Wales end. Dismissed as a 'bilious attack', George's sickness was in fact the first sign of the mental health problems which led to the Prince of Wales's appointment as Regent in 1811.

Art and science

John Boydell's ambitious new Shakespeare Gallery opens in Pall Mall, displaying works by Britain's leading artists and attempting to combine urban entertainment with the promotion of British history painting.
Philosopher Jeremy Bentham publishes An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, outlining his 'greatest happiness principle'.

International

George Washington is elected first President of the United States.
The French Revolution begins. The storming of the Bastille on the 14 July marks the overthrow of the absolute monarchy in France. The uprising followed the establishment of a governing National Assembly of the people's representatives.

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