Thomas Herring
1 portrait by Thomas Hudson
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- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Thomas Herring
attributed to Thomas Hudson
oil on canvas, circa 1748
43 1/4 in. x 36 1/4 in. (1099 mm x 921 mm)
Purchased, 1972
Primary Collection
NPG 4895
Artistback to top
- Thomas Hudson (1701-1779), Portrait painter and art collector. Artist or producer associated with 182 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This portrait in bishop's robes is very near the design engraved by John Faber after Hudson in 1751, but in the latter there is a letter in his hand, his gown is differently arranged and the chair is different; the handling is, however, close enough to warrant an attribution. Sittings are mentioned in a letter from Herring to his friend, William Duncombe, on 18 May 1748, 'Pray see my picture at Hudson's. If you like it, I will order a copy, and sit once or twice, but, I protest, I am tired of that work'. This is after Herring became Archbishop of Canterbury, so the inscription on the portrait as Archbishop of York may be retrospective. More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).
Linked publicationsback to top
- Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 139
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 299
Events of 1748back to top
Current affairs
In his role as magistrate, Henry Fielding organises the forerunner of the Bow Street Runners, effectively London's first police force.Fire in the City of London causes over a million pounds worth of damage.
Art and science
Tobias Smollett publishes The Adventures of Roderick Random.Samuel Richardson publishes Clarissa; the longest novel in the English language.
Philosopher David Hume publishes An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.
Physician John Fothergill's pamphlet Account of the Sore Throat attended with Ulcers contains the first description of diphtheria.
International
Ancient Roman city of Pompeii is rediscovered near Naples, further fuelling a resurgence of interest in the antique among British collectors such as the diplomat Sir William Hamilton.Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle ends the War of the Austrian Succession.
French writer Montesquieu anonymously publishes his influential treatise on political theory L'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws).
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