William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster
2 of 5 portraits of William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster
by and published by John Dixon, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 19 May 1775 (1774)
19 7/8 in. x 13 7/8 in. (504 mm x 354 mm) plate size; 21 1/8 in. x 14 3/4 in. (538 mm x 374 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1953
Reference Collection
NPG D37289
Sitterback to top
- William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster (1749-1804), Irish Politician; MP for Dublin and Kildare. Sitter associated with 5 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John Dixon (circa 1740-1811), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 47 portraits.
- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 1425 portraits, Sitter associated with 40 portraits.
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (Kempe's Row, opposite Ranelagh, Chelsea, London)
Events of 1775back to top
Current affairs
Act of Parliament extends inventor James Watt's patent (first granted in 1769) and the first steam engines are built under it.First known building society - Ketley's Building Society - is established in Birmingham by Richard Ketley, landlord of the Golden Cross Inn.
Art and science
First performance of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's play The Rivals at the Covent Garden Theatre in London.Artist J.M.W. Turner is born.
Satirist James Gillray's first engravings and etchings are published.
Navigator Captain Cook publishes his discovery of a preventive cure against scurvy, in the form of a regular ration of lemon juice.
International
War of American Independence begins with British defeat at Lexington and Concord and lasts until 1783. British achieve a narrow and costly victory over the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Edmund Burke delivers a speech to the British Parliament on conciliation with the American colonies.First performance of Pierre Beaumarchais' comic opera The Barber of Seville in Paris.
Pope Pius VI succeeds Pope Clement XIV as the 251st pope.
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