'Characters in high life'







© National Portrait Gallery, London
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'Characters in high life'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 20 June 1795
14 1/8 in. x 10 in. (359 mm x 253 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12536
Sitterback to top
- Mary Isabella Manners (née Somerset), Duchess of Rutland (1756-1831), Political hostess. Sitter associated with 7 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 883 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 719 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Events of 1795back to top
Current affairs
George, Prince of Wales is forced to marry Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, despite having secretly married Maria Fitzherbert in 1785.Widespread rioting prompts the introduction of the Speenhamland system of welfare supplements which are linked to the price of bread.
Treasonable Practices Act is passed against open criticism of government.
Art and science
The MP Matthew Gregory 'Monk' Lewis publishes his notorious gothic novel The Monk to success and scandal because of its immoral content.Mungo Park explores the course of the River Niger.
International
Wolfe Tone, founder of The Society of United Irishmen, departs for America after being implicated in high treason in Ireland. Exiled in Philadelphia, he soon leaves for France to ask revolutionaries for assistance.Joseph Haydn composes the English Canzonettas during his second stay in London.
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