Hanging in Bath's Guildhall are portraits of many famous people. Some are high-profile figures of national significance, while others are known mainly for their contribution to Bath.
Test your knowledge with quiz questions based on ten of our favourite portraits in the Guildhall.
The answers can be found at the end, alongside some scene-setting Bath views.
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Henry VII
Henry VII (1457–1509)What was Henry VII’s eldest child called?
a) Katharine
b) Arthur
c) Henry
d) Margaret
British School
Oil on panel
H 57.5 x W 45 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Richard 'Beau' Nash
Richard Beau Nash (1674–1761)What attracted Nash to Bath?
a) The Roman remains
b) Gambling
c) Spa treatment for gout
d) The excellent food
William Hoare (1707–1792) (attributed to)
Oil on canvas
H 88.5 x W 67 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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General George Wade
General George Wade (1673–1748) c.1730What DIDN’T Wade do?
a) Serve as Master of Ceremonies in Bath’s Assembly Rooms
b) Defeat Jacobite rebellions
c) Serve as MP for Bath
d) Mastermind road building schemes in Scotland
Johan van Diest (1695–1757)
Oil on canvas
H 254 x W 152 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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William Pulteney
William Pulteney (1684–1764), Earl of BathWhat is Pulteney famous for?
a) Archaeological discoveries in Bath
b) Building Bath’s Pulteney Bridge
c) Being Prime Minister for only 2 days
d) Building Bath’s Pulteney Street
Charles Jervas (c.1675–1739)
Oil on canvas
H 75 x W 62 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick Louis (1707–1751), Prince of Wales c.1738Frederick died young and never succeeded to the throne.
Who became monarch instead?
a) George III
b) Queen Victoria
c) George II
d) William IV
Jeremiah Davison (c.1695–1745)
Oil on canvas
H 244 x W 152 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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William Pitt
William Pitt (1708–1778), Earl of ChathamHow long was Pitt Prime Minister for?
a) 2 years
b) 7 years
c) 13 years
d) 18 years
William Hoare (1707–1792)
Oil on canvas
H 254 x W 178 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Charles Pratt
Sir Charles Pratt (1714–1794) 1765Which area of London is named after Charles Pratt?
a) Chelsea
b) Lambeth
c) Paddington
d) Camden Town
William Hoare (1707–1792)
Oil on canvas
H 254 x W 178 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte Sophia (1744–1818) c.1779How many children did Queen Charlotte have?
a) 4
b) 9
c) 15
d) 18
Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) (studio of)
Oil on canvas
H 254 x W 152 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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George III
George III (1738–1820) c.1779Which of the following was NOT one of George III’s children?
a) William IV
b) Charlotte, Queen of Wurtemberg
c) Queen Victoria
d) George IV
Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) (studio of)
Oil on canvas
H 254 x W 152 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Major Davis
Major Charles Edward Davis (1827–1902), with His DogWhich of the following was Major Davis NOT known for?
a) Excavating the Roman Baths
b) Designing Bath’s Empire Hotel
c) Breeding tortoises
d) Having badly behaved dogs
Leonard Frank Skeats (1874–1943)
Oil on canvas
H 91.5 x W 71 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Answers
Royal Crescent, BathHenry VII
B: Arthur.
Arthur Prince of Wales died age of 15. His younger brother Henry became heir to the throne
Beau Nash
B: Gambling
Although he served as Bath’s Master of Ceremonies for several decades, gambling was Nash’s real passion. It was rife in 18th century Bath.
General Wade
A: Serve as Master of Ceremonies
However in 1769 his great-nephew William Wade took on this role.
William Pulteney, Earl of Bath
C: Prime Minister for 2 days.
Another Pulteney was responsible for the famous Bath building projects.
Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
Oil on wood
H 32.5 x W 51.6 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Answers
Pulteney Bridge, Weirs and Old Saint Michael's Church, BathFrederick, Prince of Wales
A: George III
George was Frederick’s eldest son. William IV was one of his grandchildren, Queen Victoria was his great granddaughter.
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
A: 2 years.
Pitt spent years as leader of the opposition but was only briefly Prime Minister. His son, Pitt the Younger, was also Prime Minister – for nearly 2 decades.
Charles Pratt
D: Camden Town
One of Pratt’s titles was Earl Camden. He owned land in Kentish Town, north of London. In the 1790s he granted leases for development there. It became known as Camden Town
Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
Oil on wood
H 23 x W 44 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
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Answers
South Parade, BathQueen Charlotte
C: 15
Queen Charlotte had her first baby in 1762. Over the next 21 years she had 14 more. All except 2 lived to adulthood.
George III
C: Queen Victoria.
Victoria was George III’s granddaughter.
Major Charles Davis
C: He wasn’t a tortoise breeder
Charles Davis had a varied and successful career as Bath’s city architect. He designed the Empire Hotel and many other well-known buildings.
Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
Oil on wood
H 23.5 x W 45 cm
Victoria Art Gallery