Location

Country: Holy See
City: Vatican City
Place: British Embassy

Interpretation about this artwork is under review

The Government Art Collection recognises its responsibility to artists, colleagues and all our audiences to represent the diversity of the UK and to embed anti-racist and equitable practices throughout our work. We are taking action to address inequality in the Collection and its interpretation.

James Northcote was born in Plymouth and moved to London in 1771. There he entered the Royal Academy Schools and worked as an assistant to Joshua Reynolds, first president of the Royal Academy. He travelled to Italy in 1777 and was elected to artists’ academies in Florence, Rome and Cortona. After returning to England in 1780 he established a practice as a portrait painter and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy from 1781. Northcote was elected an Associate of the RA in 1786 and a full Academician the following year.

People

Browne-Clayton, RobertHead, Captain MichaelButler, Lieutenant the Hon. PiercePope Pius VI, Giovanni Angelico Braschi)

Places

Italy, Vatican City, Rome: Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome

Subjects

topography, group portrait, military uniform, boots, throne, flag, coat of arms, sword, officer (army), pope, column, carpet, chair

Materials & Techniques

mezzotint

Artist

Samuel William Reynolds (1773 - 1835)
James Northcote (1746 - 1831)

Title

Three Officers of the 12th Light Dragoons introduced at the Vatican Palace to Pope Pius VI

Date

published March 1813

Medium

Mezzotint

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi, June 1952

GAC number

1709