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John Cutts, Baron Cutts

1 of 4 portraits by Nicholas Dixon

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Cutts, Baron Cutts

by Nicholas Dixon
watercolour on vellum on card, circa 1690
2 1/2 in. x 2 1/8 in. (64 mm x 54 mm) oval
Transferred from National Gallery, 1994
Primary Collection
NPG 6281

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Nicholas Dixon (active 1660-1708), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 66
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 161
  • Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 47 Read entry

    Lord Cutts was one of William III's most courageous soldiers, celebrated for hair-raising bravery at the Battles of the Boyne and Namur, and for leading the frontal attack at Blenheim. He became even more widely known through Jonathan Swift's scurrilous lampoon 'Ode to a Salamander'. The most striking characteristic of Dixon's style, his almond-shaped and protuberant eyes, known as 'Dixon eyes' add a formidable note to the appearance of this swashbuckling hero (Basil Long, British Miniaturists 1520-1860, Holland Press, 1929, p 127).

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1690back to top

Current affairs

William III, forced to leave England to fight in Ireland, empowers Mary II, through the Regency Act, to exercise authority in his absence. William, however, unwilling to rest power solely with Mary, appoints a council of nine statesmen directly answerable to the absent king.

Art and science

Philosopher, John Locke, publishes An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding and Treatises on Government, in which he sets out his notion that human understanding is derived from experience.
Naturalist, John Ray, publishes Synopsis methodica stirpium Britannicarum. It became the most consulted book for the classification of British plants.

International

William III lands in Ireland with an allied force of Protestant fighters from European states to fight French and Irish troops under James II. William's victory at the Battle of the Boyne forces James to flee into permanent exile.
French defeat the English at the naval battle of Beachy Head.

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