'The dagger scene; - or - the plot discover'd'

Identify sitters

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 30 December 1792
14 1/2 in. x 11 3/4 in. (368 mm x 300 mm) plate size; 14 7/8 in. x 12 1/8 in. (377 mm x 308 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12467

Artistsback to top

James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist associated with 881 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist associated with 719 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Statesman; orator; author. Sitter associated with 106 portraits. Identify
Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 308 portraits. Identify
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742-1811), Statesman. Sitter associated with 82 portraits. Identify
William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits. Identify
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), Dramatist and parliamentary orator. Sitter associated with 168 portraits. Identify
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 78 portraits. Identify
Michael Angelo Taylor (circa 1757-1834), Barrister and politician; MP for Poole, Ilchester and City of Durham. Sitter associated with 35 portraits. Identify

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (18 Old Bond Street, London)

Subjects & Themesback 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.

Tell us more back to top

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