'Delicious dreams! - Castles in the air! - Glorious prospects!'
8 of 20 portraits of Spencer Perceval
'Delicious dreams! - Castles in the air! - Glorious prospects!'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 10 April 1808
13 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (351 mm x 250 mm) plate size; 14 3/8 in. x 10 5/8 in. (364 mm x 270 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12905
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.
Sittersback to top
- George Canning (1770-1827), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 64 portraits. Identify
- Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 59 portraits. Identify
- Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (Lord Castlereagh) (1769-1822), Statesman. Sitter associated with 56 portraits. Identify
- Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742-1811), Statesman. Sitter associated with 82 portraits. Identify
- Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of France 1804-14. Sitter associated with 91 portraits. Identify
- Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), Prime Minister. Sitter in 20 portraits. Identify
- William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 32 portraits. Identify
Subjects & Themesback to top
- Buildings and architecture
- Chairs and thrones
- Dreams and visions
- Eating and drinking
- Etching
- Flags and banners
- Group portraits
- Pets and animals
- Pets and animals - Wild and exotic animals
- Sleeping
- Transport and vehicles
- Transport and vehicles - Animals
- Transport and vehicles - Buggies, carriages and carts
- War with France
Events of 1808back to top
Current affairs
The 'Mary Anne Clarke affair' erupts in which Clarke, mistress of Frederick, Duke of York, was said to have used her influence with him to run a military promotions racket. Championed by radical government opponents, it ends in the Duke's resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the army.Art and science
Sculptor John Flaxman begins Nelson memorial for St Paul's.Richard Trevithick demonstrates model railway travelling at 12 mph.
International
After taking Portugal, Napoleon invades Spain, deposes the Spanish Bourbon monarchy and appoints his brother Joseph as the new King. ThePeninsular War then begins under Sir John Moore and Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, aiming to protect Portugal and exploit Iberian hatred of French tyranny.
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