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William Pitt ('The bottomless-Pitt')

58 of 174 portraits of William Pitt

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Pitt ('The bottomless-Pitt')

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 March 1792
10 7/8 in. x 8 7/8 in. (275 mm x 226 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12442

Sitterback to top

  • 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.

Placesback to top

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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Stephen Durnford

21 September 2022, 12:52

During the 18th century a gentleman was defined by his bottom, not what it may seem today, but the wealth, property and other assets that obviated the need to work for a living and enabled him to buy a seat in parliament or a military commission. William Pitt the younger, being the fourth child of his ennobled father, was deemed to lack sufficient bottom, hence his punning nickname, which Gilray repeats.