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John Wakefield

2 of 2 portraits by William Bowness

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Wakefield

by Samuel Bellin, printed by W. Hatton, after William Bowness
mezzotint, circa 1853
20 1/2 in. x 16 1/4 in. (520 mm x 413 mm) plate size; 22 1/2 in. x 18 in. (573 mm x 457 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D37977

Sitterback to top

  • John Wakefield (active 1853-died 1866), High Sheriff of Westmoreland. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistsback to top

  • Samuel Bellin (1799-1893), Printmaker and draughtsman. Artist or producer associated with 51 portraits.
  • William Bowness (1809-1867), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.
  • W. Hatton (active 1847-1856), Printer. Artist or producer associated with 8 portraits.

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1853back to top

Current affairs

Britain and America sign a treaty establishing an International Copyright agreement. Dickens, whose Bleak House is also published this year, was a particularly outspoken critic of these laws, as his works were freely published in America without any protection over copyright or royalties. He had lobbied the American Congress over the issue during his North American reading tour of 1842.

Art and science

David Livingstone makes a six month journey from the Zambezi river to the west coast of Africa.
Harriet Martineau translates The Positive Philosophy of August Comte. A scientific approach to understanding the natural world and human and social relations, positivism has an important influence on the development of the social sciences.
Holman Hunt exhibits his The Light of the World

International

Diplomatic row over Napoleon's call to the Turkish empire to restore Roman Catholic rights in the Holy Land. Russia asserts her role of protecting the rights of all Christians in the Ottoman empire; French and British fleets are dispatched to the Dardanelles. The Turkish sultan, declaring that he will look after the rights of Christians, heightens tension, and the Crimean war begins with Turkey declaring war on Russia.

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