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Sir John Vanbrugh

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir John Vanbrugh

by John Simon, published by Jacob Tonson I, or Jacob Tonson II, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1704-1710)
13 3/4 in. x 9 7/8 in. (351 mm x 252 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D14566

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • John Simon (1675-1751), Mezzotint engraver. Artist associated with 213 portraits.
  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • Jacob Tonson I (1655-1736), Publisher; Secretary of the Kit-cat Club. Artist associated with 6 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.
  • Jacob Tonson II (1682-1735), Publisher; nephew of Jacob Tonson I. Artist associated with 5 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

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Events of 1704back to top

Current affairs

Lord High Treasurer, Sidney Godolphin, with considerable financial acumen,begins to shift the country's dependence from short-term borrowing to long-term. His management of the country's revenue allowed the government to fund John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough's successful fight against France.

Art and science

Mathematical scientist, Isaac Newton, recently made President of the Royal Society, presents his second major publication, Opticks, to the Society.
Daniel Defoe launches The Review, a periodical dedicated to news, specifically the war in Europe; it is published thrice weekly.

International

Battle of Blenheim marks a turning point in the War of the Spanish Succession, as allied armies under John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, and Princes Eugene of Savoy and Lewis of Baden defeat the Franco-Bavarian army on the River Danube.
Admiral George Rooke captures Gibraltar.

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