Lot 23: John Field (British, 1772-1848) A silhouette of William Pitt, the Younger (1759–1806), head and shoulders, profile to the right

A silhouette of William Pitt, the Younger (1759–1806), head and shoulders, profile to the right.
Painted on ivory against a dark blue ground, signed under the truncation Field, gold frame with beaded border.
Oval, 21mm (13/16in) high

William Pitt, the Younger (1759–1806) became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 (although at this period the term Prime Minister was not used). He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806. He is known as "William Pitt the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, William Pitt the Elder, who previously served as Prime Minister of Great Britain. In 1766 he gained the title of The Hon. William Pitt when his father was created an Earl. In 1782, he became The Right Hon. William Pitt when he joined the government of Lord Shelburne as Chancellor of the Exchequer and was appointed a member of the Privy Council.