William Wycherley

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William Wycherley

by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1703
10 3/8 in. x 7 1/2 in. (265 mm x 192 mm) plate size; 10 3/4 in. x 7 7/8 in. (273 mm x 201 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11506

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG 880: William Wycherley (after)
  • NPG D8843: William Wycherley (from same plate)
  • NPG D8844: William Wycherley (from same plate)
  • NPG D9992: William Wycherley (from same plate)
  • NPG D20366: William Wycherley (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1703back to top

Current affairs

A great storm ravages southern England killing thousands at sea and wrecking several naval warships along the coast.
The Scottish Parliament passes a Bill of Security stipulating that the successor to the Scottish throne is Protestant, descended from Scottish kings. It is vetoed by the English Parliament.

Art and science

Scholarly church historian, William Wake, publishes The State of the Church and Clergy of England, a history of English synods since Anglo-Saxon times.
Sailing and Fighting Instructions for her Majesty's Fleet, by Admiral George Rooke provides the basis for English fleet tactics throughout the century.

International

Diplomat, John Methuen, negotiates commercial treaties between England and Portugal to facilitate trading relations.
Portugal enters the grand alliance against France in the War of the Spanish Succession.

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