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William Cowper (Cooper)

4 of 5 portraits of William Cowper (Cooper)

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William Cowper (Cooper)

by John Smith, after John Closterman
mezzotint and etching, 1698
15 3/4 in. x 11 in. (400 mm x 280 mm) plate size, cut to plate size
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11579

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • John Closterman (1660-1711), Artist. Artist associated with 58 portraits.
  • John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D19513: William Cowper (Cooper) (from same plate)
  • NPG D31560: William Cowper (Cooper) (from same plate)
  • NPG D34197: William Cowper (Cooper) (from same plate)
  • NPG D31561: William Cowper (Cooper) (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1698back to top

Current affairs

The king's residence, Whitehall Palace, is destroyed by fire. The Banqueting House survives.
Issues surrounding the prerogative of the king and size of a standing army during peacetime serve as the principal subjects for debate during the general election. The Whig Junto majority is reduced by resurgent Tory opposition.

Art and science

Anti-theatrical polemicist, Jeremy Collier writes, A Short View, attacking the immorality of the theatre.
John Bunyan's The Heavenly Foot-Man, a sermon on Christian life, is published posthumously.

International

Instructed by William III, Arnold Joost van Keppel, earl of Albemarle, negotiates with Louis XIV over issues surrounding the Spanish succession. Proposals in the first partition treaty are agreed by both sides.
Peter I of Russia visits England eager to strengthen diplomatic ties with other European countries.

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