The artwork titled “The Death of the Earl of Chatham” was created by John Singleton Copley in 1781. This oil painting, exemplifying the Neoclassicism art movement, measures 307.3 cm by 228.6 cm. It is a genre painting and is currently located in the National Portrait Gallery in London, UK.
In the artwork, Copley dramatizes a historical event with meticulous attention to detail. The scene portrays the moment of the Earl of Chatham’s collapse in the House of Lords. The figures, adorned in richly detailed robes, are depicted in a grand room under dim lighting, with the mood of solemnity and urgency palpable among the gathered parliamentarians. The composition, a hallmark of Neoclassicism, focuses on the dignified resignation of the central figure juxtaposed with the emotions expressed by the surrounding individuals, showcasing both individual and collective reactions to a profound event.
