'A sphere, projecting against a plane' (William Pitt; Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire)
1 portrait of William Pitt
© National Portrait Gallery, London
'A sphere, projecting against a plane' (William Pitt; Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 3 January 1792
10 7/8 in. x 8 7/8 in. (275 mm x 224 mm) plate size; 11 3/4 in. x 9 1/4 in. (299 mm x 236 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12438
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sittersback to top
- Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire (died 1816), Wife of 3rd Earl of Buckinghamshire. Sitter associated with 16 portraits.
- William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Events of 1792back to top
Current affairs
The famous seven year trial of Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, on charges of embezzlement and murder, ends with his acquittal. Pro-Revolutionary philosopher Joseph Priestley's house is destroyed by a mob on the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Their actions are later seen as a key moment in the defeat of Enlightenment ideals in England.Art and science
Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; a radical work which called on women to be allies to one another; fearless in their support and free in their criticism.Sir Joshua Reynolds dies and is succeeded by Benjamin West as President of the Royal Academy.
International
The mob invades the Tuileries and the French Royal Family is imprisoned marking the end of France's experiment with constitutional monarchy and the declaration of the first French Republic.The Revolutionary Commune is established in Paris.
France declares war on Austria and then Prussia.
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