'Frontispiece for the 2nd edition of Dr Johnson's letters'
1 portrait of Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury, later Mrs Thrale)
© National Portrait Gallery, London
'Frontispiece for the 2nd edition of Dr Johnson's letters'
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 7 April 1788
9 3/4 in. x 6 7/8 in. (249 mm x 175 mm) plate size; 10 5/8 in. x 7 5/8 in. (269 mm x 194 mm ) paper size
Purchased, 1905
Reference Collection
NPG D9898
Sittersback to top
- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), Poet, critic and lexicographer. Sitter associated with 51 portraits.
- Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury, later Mrs Thrale) (1741-1821), Writer and friend of Dr Johnson. Sitter in 14 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Thomas Cornell (active 1780-1792). Artist or producer associated with 59 portraits.
- James Sayers (1748-1823), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 192 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
After his death, the figure of Samuel Johnson's ghost appeared several times in satirical images and verse. In this print by James Sayers, Hester Piozzi (1741-1821) turns in alarm at the entry of Johnson's ghost which holds out a purse and points to the pictures on the wall of Boswell and Hawkins. An open book in which she is writing is inscribed, 'Dr J...Leters Dear Lady', implying that Piozzi has made up these letters from Johnson on which she is basing her biography. The inscription below criticises Johnson's chief biographers in turn and, through Johnson's voice, pleads with Piozzi to let him rest.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D15034: 'Frontispiece for the 2nd edition of Dr Johnson's letters' (from same plate)
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- The Life and Lives of Dr Johnson (18 July 2009 - 14 December 2009)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1788back to top
Current affairs
Parliament begins an investigation into the slave trade, led by reformers Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce.Regency Crisis; George III's madness is announced provoking a political storm.
Former Governor-General of Bengal Warren Hastings' trial begins before the House of Lords.
Henry Benedict Stuart becomes the new Stuart claimant to the British throne.
Art and science
Artist Thomas Gainsborough dies.First edition of The Times newspaper is published in London.
Scottish engineer and inventor William Symington demonstrates the first paddle steamer on Dalswinton Loch near Dumfries.
Robert Burns writes his version of the Scots poem Auld Lang Syne.
International
Ministers of the French King, Louis XVI, reluctantly announce that the Estates General will meet the following year, for the first time since 1614.United States constitution comes into force when New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify it.
First Fleet reaches Australia, anchoring in Botany Bay. Arthur Phillip, selecting a suitable site for the first Australian penal colony, names the place Sydney Cove.
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