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'A ministerial fact; or, a squib of the first day' (Charles James Fox; King George III)

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'A ministerial fact; or, a squib of the first day' (Charles James Fox; King George III)

by Unknown artist, published by William Holland
hand-coloured etching, published 2 August 1786
7 1/2 in. x 6 1/2 in. (189 mm x 164 mm) plate size; 7 5/8 in. x 6 5/8 in. (195 mm x 167 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12318

Sittersback to top

Artistsback to top

  • William Holland (active 1782-1802), Book and printseller. Artist associated with 12 portraits.
  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist associated with 6557 portraits.

Placesback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1786back to top

Current affairs

Philosopher and politician Edmund Burke instigates impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of Bengal after concerns about the moral standards of the British in India are raised.
Prime Minister William Pitt appoints commissioners for the reduction of the national debt and establishes a sinking fund of £1 million a year.
Government approves the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay.

Art and science

Robert Burns publishes Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect bringing him immediate success across the country.
Engraver and publisher John Boydell initiates plans for his Shakespeare Gallery in an effort to establish a school of British history painting.
Merchant David Dale establishes New Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, as a model cotton milling community.

International

General Charles Cornwallis succeeds Warren Hastings as Governor-General in India.
Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
Francisco Goya is appointed court painter to the Spanish king Charles III.

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