'The theatrical bubble; - being a new specimen of the astonishing powers of the great politico-punchinello, in the art of dramatic puffing'

1 portrait of Dorothy Jordan

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'The theatrical bubble; - being a new specimen of the astonishing powers of the great politico-punchinello, in the art of dramatic puffing'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 7 January 1805
14 1/4 in. x 10 1/4 in. (362 mm x 260 mm) plate size; 15 in. x 11 1/8 in. (380 mm x 281 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12839

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.

Sittersback to top

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Events of 1805back to top

Current affairs

Nelson's state funeral is held at St Paul's. An occasion for an outpouring of national grief and patriotism, the grand ceremony built on the cult of Nelson which had emerged in the years before his death.

Art and science

Mary Tighe publishes Pysche or the Legend of Love, a romantic allegory in the fashionable medieval revival style, admired by both Keats and Shelley.
The 'poems of Ossian' are officially declared a fake and a great literary scandal ends as Scottish poet James Macpherson is exposed as the forger of the third century bard's epic works.

International

Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon's ultimate plan to invade England from Boulogne with 100,000 men is thwarted by superior British naval power. Nelson dies in the closing moments of battle having been wounded by a French sniper, but survives long enough to learn that a decisive victory has been won.

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