The Death of the Earl of Chatham
1779 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This monumental oil painting depicts the collapse of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, in the House of Lords on April 7, 1778, while he was protesting the independence of the American colonies. It is a large-scale historical composition capturing the dramatic reaction of his peers in the British Parliament.
Did you know?
John Singleton Copley spent months meticulously sketching each of the peers present in the House of Lords to ensure their likenesses were authentic for this historical scene. Ironically, despite the title, the Earl of Chatham did not actually die on the floor of the House; he collapsed during the debate and died about a month later at his home. The painting became an instant sensation in London, cementing Copley's reputation as a master of contemporary historical narrative.
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The Death of the Earl of Chatham
John Singleton Copley, 1779
