Margaret Beaumont (née Willes), Lady Beaumont
2 of 3 portraits of Margaret Beaumont (née Willes), Lady Beaumont
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Margaret Beaumont (née Willes), Lady Beaumont
by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1781
14 7/8 in. x 11 in. (379 mm x 280 mm) plate size; 15 5/8 in. x 11 5/8 in. (396 mm x 296 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D31596
Sitterback to top
- Margaret Beaumont (née Willes), Lady Beaumont (circa 1766-1829), Wife of Sir George Howland Beaumont, 7th Bt. Sitter in 3 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- 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.
- John Raphael Smith (1752-1812), Portrait painter, engraver and pastellist. Artist or producer associated with 192 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Events of 1781back to top
Current affairs
American painter John Singleton Copley, now resident in London, completes his celebrated painting The Death of the Earl of Chatham, depicting the collapse of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham on 7 April 1778, during a debate in the House of Lords on the American War of Independence.William Pitt the Younger, later Prime Minister, enters Parliament.
Art and science
Astronomer William Herschel discovers Uranus, the first planet to be found by means of a telescope, and names it Georgium Sidus (George's Star) in honour of George III.Artist and theatre designer Philip James De Loutherbourg presents his innovative miniature mechanical theatre, the Eidophusikon, at his house in Soho, London.
International
American War of Independence: British general Charles Cornwallis is forced to surrender at Yorktown. Maryland ratifies the Articles of Confederation - the last state to do so - completing 'the Confederation of the United States'.Zong Massacre: 133 Africans are thrown overboard the slave ship Zong on the orders of a British slave-trader who then attempts to reclaim their value from insurers. The case becomes a landmark in the fight for abolition.
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