Dorothy Jordan
- Artist: James Heath
- Artist: Simon Watts
- Date: 1787
- Medium: stipple
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Dorothy Jordan (Mrs Jordan) (Dorothea Phillips)
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is a stipple portrait of Dorothy Jordan (Mrs Jordan), an actress and mistress of William IV. You’ll see her head centered, wearing a simple hat that frames her face with subtle shading. The artist, James Heath, uses tiny dots to build texture—notice how the stippling softens her skin yet keeps the eyes sharp. The print was released by Simon Watts on 2 February 1787, so it is an early example of engraved portraiture in London. The work’s gentle lines capture her dignified expression, while the hat’s brim hints at contemporary costume. It’s a small but lively representation from the National Portrait Gallery.
See it in person
Dorothy Jordan is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
