'A new way to pay the National-Debt'
1 portrait of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
'A new way to pay the National-Debt'
by James Gillray, published by William Holland
hand-coloured etching and engraving, published 21 April 1786
16 1/2 in. x 20 7/8 in. (420 mm x 529 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D13052
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- William Holland (active 1782-1802), Book and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 12 portraits.
Sittersback to top
- Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), Queen consort of George III. Sitter associated with 85 portraits. Identify
- King George III (1738-1820), Reigned 1760-1820. Sitter associated with 194 portraits. Identify
- King George IV (1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30. Sitter associated with 274 portraits. Identify
- Louis Philippe Joseph ('Philippe Egalité'), duc d'Orleans (1747-1793), Supporter of the French Revolution; father of Louis Philippe I of France. Sitter in 4 portraits. Identify
- William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits. Identify
- Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (1733-1800), Statesman. Sitter in 14 portraits. Identify
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1786back to top
Current affairs
Philosopher and politician Edmund Burke instigates impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of Bengal after concerns about the moral standards of the British in India are raised.Prime Minister William Pitt appoints commissioners for the reduction of the national debt and establishes a sinking fund of £1 million a year.
Government approves the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay.
Art and science
Robert Burns publishes Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect bringing him immediate success across the country.Engraver and publisher John Boydell initiates plans for his Shakespeare Gallery in an effort to establish a school of British history painting.
Merchant David Dale establishes New Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, as a model cotton milling community.
International
General Charles Cornwallis succeeds Warren Hastings as Governor-General in India.Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
Francisco Goya is appointed court painter to the Spanish king Charles III.
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