William Crotch
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Crotch
by John Linnell
watercolour, circa 1839
17 7/8 in. x 13 3/4 in. (454 mm x 349 mm)
Purchased, 1918
Primary Collection
NPG 1813
Artistback to top
- John Linnell (1792-1882), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 70 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.
This portraitback to top
While working on these drawings, Linnell had taken his family to hear Crotch play Handel and Haydn on the organ and piano, and the signed watercolour (on the left/right) was exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 123
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 157
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- John Linnell: Portraits (24 March 2007 - 9 September 2007)
Events of 1839back to top
Current affairs
The Bedchamber crisis strains relations between the government and the monarchy, after Queen Victoria refuses to dismiss her Whig-appointed ladies of the bedchamber at the request of the new, Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Peel resigns and Melbourne returns as Prime Minister.The Grand National is first held at the Aintree race course, won by the horse Lottery, and the first Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing event, is held on the Thames.
Art and science
The French and British scientists Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot separately publicise their experiments with the new form of photography.The prolific journalist Harriet Martineau publishes her three decker novel Deerbrook, the story of middle class country life.
International
The first Opium War with China is sparked after the British government refuses to try six British soldiers accused of killing a Chinese man protecting a temple from looters. Relations were strained as Britain had promoted the drug opium in China to boost trade. Winning the war, Britain secured vital trading rights.African captives aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad revolt, resulting in a highly publicised court case.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.