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Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex

by Edward Lutterell (Luttrell), published by John Lloyd, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
9 3/8 in. x 6 3/4 in. (238 mm x 171 mm) plate size; 10 1/4 in. x 7 3/8 in. (260 mm x 187 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D13142

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.
  • John Lloyd (active circa 1680), Print publisher. Artist associated with 6 portraits.
  • Edward Lutterell (Luttrell) (died 1737), Mezzotinter and pastel draughtsman. Artist associated with 65 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D10944: Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (from same plate)
  • NPG D11956: Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (from same plate)
  • NPG D13143: Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (from same plate)
  • NPG D29500: Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (from same plate)
  • NPG D29501: Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1682back to top

Current affairs

Whig politician, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the case of high treason dropped against him, attempts to co-ordinate uprisings around the country over the exclusion crisis; he is ultimately forced to flee to the Netherlands.
Bideford Witch Trial condemns three women to death, the last to be hanged for witchcraft in England.

Art and science

Dramatist Thomas Otway's play, Venice Preserv'd, is first staged. Dedicated to the king's influential French mistress, Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, it becomes one of the most popular Restoration plays.
Naturalist, John Ray, publishes Methodus plantarum nova, expounding his classification of plant species.

International

King of France, Louis XIV's determination to seize Spanish Luxembourg, and mobilization of French troops to the area, threatens the treaty of Nijmegen and security of the Dutch. Pressured by William of Orange and George Savile, Marquess of Halifax to take military action, the king opts for informal mediation.

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