Mrs Cross as St Catherine

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Mrs Cross as St Catherine

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1697
12 7/8 in. x 9 1/4 in. (326 mm x 234 mm) plate size; 13 1/4 in. x 9 5/8 in. (337 mm x 244 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11725

Sitterback to top

  • Mrs Cross (active 1697-1700), Actress. Sitter associated with 5 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1181 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Depicting a whole length figure kneeling with a broken wheel, palm and crown.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D2237: Mrs Cross as St Catherine (from same plate)
  • NPG D2238: Mrs Cross as St Catherine (from same plate)

Events of 1697back to top

Current affairs

William III argues for the existence of a peacetime standing army to maintain England's safety. Unpopular with both political parties, Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford, leads the opposition against the proposal.
The first service at St. Paul Cathedral is held since the building was destroyed by the Great Fire.

Art and science

Circumnavigator, William Dampier, publishes New Voyage Round the World.
Painter and member of the Whiggish Kit-Cat Club, Godfrey Kneller starts to paint the club's members devising a special portrait size for the series.

International

Negotiations between William Bentinck, Earl of Portland, and Louis XIV's representative, Marshal Boufflers, effectuate the signing of a peace treaty at Ryswick, ending the Nine Years' War with France. The terms include re-establishment of the territorial position in 1688 and Louis's acknowledgement of William III as King of England.

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