Francesco Bartolozzi
The Death of the Earl of Chatham

Public Domain

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Artist Francesco Bartolozzi Italian, 1727–1815

Afterafter John Singleton Copley American, 1738–1815

CultureItalian

Titles

The Death of the Earl of Chatham

Date1791

Printed inLondon, England

MediumEngraving on laid paper

DimensionsPlate: 22 1/4 × 30 3/8 in. (56.5 × 77.2 cm)
Sheet: 24 13/16 × 30 7/8 in. (63 × 78.5 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Chris and Kaylin Haverstock Weber in memory of Linda English Haverstock

Object numberB.2018.66

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

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PRINTS

DescriptionThis engraving after John Singleton Copley’s monumental oil painting depicts the moment when William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, was stricken ill while speaking in the House of Lords on April 7, 1778. The debate was over a proposal by Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, that the war with the American colonies was unwinnable and that Britain should yield their independence. Pitt, though sympathetic to the colonies and their cause, sought a solution that would not sever ties with Britain. While attempting to rise to address Richmond, Pitt collapsed. He did not recover and died at his country house on May 11, 1778. Copley took the occasion of recording this event in a large and dramatic oil painting as an opportunity to gain introduction to the many prominent individuals (over fifty) whose portraits it required. He worked on the painting for approximately two years, placing it on exhibit in 1781. Completion of Bartolozzi’s engraving was considerably delayed, published only in 1791, and it finally yielded a relatively small number of impressions.
Provenance[Weiss Prints, Wilmington, North Carolina]; purchased by Linda English Haverstock; given to Chris and Kaylin Haverstock Weber, Houston; given to MFAH, 2018.
Exhibition History"Radicals and Revolutionaries: America's Founding Fathers," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 10–May 28, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Below image left: J. S. Copley R. A. pinxt.

Below image right: F. Bartolozzi R. A. sculpt. / Engraver to his Majesty

Below image center: To the King’s most excellent Majesty / This Plate THE DEATH OF THE EARL OF CHATHAM is with / His gracious Permission humbly Inscribed by his Majesty’s most faithful Subject & dutiful Servt. / John Singleton Copley / London, Published as the Act directs, May 1st 1791, by J. S. Copley, No. 24, George Street, Hanover Square.

No visible watermark.

Catalogue raisonnéCalabi & De Vesme 1928 538. Calabi, Augusto; De Vesme, Alexandre, Francesco Bartolozzi. Catalogue des estampes et notice biographique d'après les manuscrits de A. De Vesme entièrement réformés et complétés d'une étude critique par A. Calabi, Milan, Guido.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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