John James Baker: The Whig Junto (1710)

(Tate Britain, London, UK)

A painting by the English artist John James Baker (active 1685 - 1725). The Whig Junto were a group of politicians who controlled the government of England and the Whig party. The junto dominated English politics from 1694 to 1699 (during the reign of king William III of England) and from 1702 to 1710 during the reign of Queen Anne of England. This painting shows six leading members of the second Whig Junto. Shown are: Charles Spencer (secretary of State), 3rd Earl of Sunderland; Thomas Wharton (Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), 1st Marquess of Wharton; John Somers (Lord President of the Privy Council), 1st Baron Somers; Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax; William Cavendish (Lord Steward and a member of the Privy Council), 2nd Duke of Devonshire; and Edward Russell (First Lord of the Admiralty), 1st Earl of Orford. The group portrait was probably commissioned by Edward Russell and was made in 1710, shortly before they were forced from power.