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Abraham Cowley

17 of 53 portraits by Mary Beale

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Abraham Cowley

by William Faithorne, after Mary Beale
line engraving, published 1673
8 7/8 in. x 6 1/2 in. (225 mm x 166 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D30142

Sitterback to top

  • Abraham Cowley (1618-1667), Poet. Sitter associated with 37 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Mary Beale (1633-1699), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 53 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
  • William Faithorne (circa 1620-1691), Engraver and draughtsman. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter associated with 4 portraits.

Events of 1673back to top

Current affairs

Controversially, James, Duke of York marries a Catholic, Mary of Modena, daughter of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena.
Parliament passes anti-Catholic legislation, the Test Act, which excludes recusants from public office. Officials are required to take an oath and deny the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.

Art and science

Poet laureate, John Dryden, influenced by the war against Holland, writes Amboyna, a tragedy about the Amboyna massacre,1623, when English sailors were murdered by Dutch traders in Indonesia.
The Chelsea Physic Garden is established by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to train apprentices in plant identification.

International

War with Holland culminates in the Battle of Texel which effectively exhausts both sides, but results in a strategic Dutch victory. With tension mounting between the allies, lord of the Admiralty, Prince Rupert, blames the unsatisfactory outcome on French admiral d'Estrees, and poor provisions.

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