imageofempire: The Death of the Earl of ChathamJohn Singleton Copley (1737-1815)Oil on canvas, 1779-80228.6 x 307.3 cmNational Portrait Gallery, London The painting represents the collapse of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, in the House of Lords on 7 April 1778 after speaking for every measure in favour of the British colonists in America short of actual independence. Chatham died a month later. The fallen earl is surrounded by his three sons and his son-in-law, Lord Mahon, and is supported by the Dukes of Cumberland and Portland. The Duke of Richmond, who has just finished speaking, stands nearby. Lord Camden described the scene in a letter to the Duke of Grafton: ‘He fell back upon his seat, and was to all appearance in the agonies of death. This threw the whole House into confusion …. even those who might have felt a secret pleasure at the accident, yet put on the appearance of distress, except only the Earl of Mansfield, who sat still, almost as much unmoved as the senseless body itself’.

imageofempire:

The Death of the Earl of Chatham
John Singleton Copley (1737-1815)
Oil on canvas, 1779-80
228.6 x 307.3 cm
National Portrait Gallery, London

The painting represents the collapse of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, in the House of Lords on 7 April 1778 after speaking for every measure in favour of the British colonists in America short of actual independence. Chatham died a month later. The fallen earl is surrounded by his three sons and his son-in-law, Lord Mahon, and is supported by the Dukes of Cumberland and Portland. The Duke of Richmond, who has just finished speaking, stands nearby. Lord Camden described the scene in a letter to the Duke of Grafton: ‘He fell back upon his seat, and was to all appearance in the agonies of death. This threw the whole House into confusion …. even those who might have felt a secret pleasure at the accident, yet put on the appearance of distress, except only the Earl of Mansfield, who sat still, almost as much unmoved as the senseless body itself’.

(via artpedia)

Jun. 5 2012
Via npg.org.uk
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