'The genius of France triumphant, - or - Britannia petitioning for peace'
62 of 168 portraits of Richard Brinsley Sheridan
'The genius of France triumphant, - or - Britannia petitioning for peace'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 2 February 1795
10 x 14 1/4 in. (254 mm x 362 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12517
Sittersback to top
- Britannia, Allegory of a nation, emblem of empire, and patriotic icon. Sitter associated with 29 portraits.
- Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 313 portraits. Identify
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), Dramatist and parliamentary orator. Sitter associated with 168 portraits. Identify
- Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816), Scientist and politician; MP for Wycombe. Sitter associated with 46 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1795back to top
Current affairs
George, Prince of Wales is forced to marry Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, despite having secretly married Maria Fitzherbert in 1785.Widespread rioting prompts the introduction of the Speenhamland system of welfare supplements which are linked to the price of bread.
Treasonable Practices Act is passed against open criticism of government.
Art and science
The MP Matthew Gregory 'Monk' Lewis publishes his notorious gothic novel The Monk to success and scandal because of its immoral content.Mungo Park explores the course of the River Niger.
International
Wolfe Tone, founder of The Society of United Irishmen, departs for America after being implicated in high treason in Ireland. Exiled in Philadelphia, he soon leaves for France to ask revolutionaries for assistance.Joseph Haydn composes the English Canzonettas during his second stay in London.
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