4 OF 4

William Beckford

4 of 4 portraits by Agostino Carlini

William Beckford

by John Chapman, published by John Wilkes, after Agostino Carlini
stipple engraving, published 19 April 1798
6 1/2 in. x 4 1/2 in. (165 mm x 113 mm) plate size; 6 7/8 in. x 4 7/8 in. (176 mm x 125 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D14113

Sitterback to top

William Beckford (1709-1770), Owner of enslaved people; politician. Sitter in 15 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Agostino Carlini (circa 1718-1790), Sculptor. Artist associated with 4 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.
John Chapman (active 1792-1823), Engraver. Artist associated with 52 portraits.
John Wilkes (1750-1810), Publisher. Artist associated with 11 portraits.

Events of 1798back to top

Current affairs

To meet war costs, William Pitt introduces a Finance Bill which levies income tax for the first time.

Art and science

William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge publish Lyrical Ballads; a key publication for the romantic movement in poetry. Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner opens the volume.
Publisher and printseller Rudolph Ackermann establishes his popular 'Repository of the Arts' shop, gallery, library and social centre on the Strand.

International

Uprising of the United Irishmen: a republican rebellion which attempted to achieve Ireland's total independence by force with the aid of a French invasion. It was only narrowly defeated.
Battle of the Nile. Napoleon's visionary Egyptian campaign offers British first major victory as Nelson destroys the French fleet.

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