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Thomas Ashton

4 of 6 portraits of Thomas Ashton

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Thomas Ashton

by James Macardell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1756)
12 3/4 in. x 8 7/8 in. (327 mm x 226 mm) plate size; 13 in. in. x 9 in. (333 mm x 230 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D555

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • James Macardell (1727 or 1728-1765), Mezzotint engraver. Artist or producer associated with 294 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
  • 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.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D554: Thomas Ashton (from same plate)

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1756back to top

Current affairs

Government falls after criticism of its handling of the Seven Years War. Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle is succeeded by William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, who forms a ministry effectively run by William Pitt the Elder.

Art and science

Satiristist Thomas Rowlandson is born in Old Jewry in the City of London. His main rival James Gillray is born exactly a month later in Chelsea.
Completion of William Edwards' Old Bridge, Pontypridd; the longest single span bridge in Britain for the next forty years.

International

'Black Hole of Calcutta': a group of British prisoners, including East India Company servant John Zephaniah Holwell, are locked in a small, overcrowded dungeon overnight when Fort William in Calcutta is captured by troops of the Nawab of Bengal. Holwell claims 123 of the 146 prisoners died.
Outbreak of the Seven Years War in which Britain, Hanover, Prussia and Denmark are pitted against France, Austria, Russia and Sweden.

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