Search the Collection

Samuel Johnson

(1709-1784), Poet, critic and lexicographer

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 51 portraits
The author of the prodigious Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Johnson gained further prestige through the publication of his new edition of Shakespeare (1765) and travel memoir A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland (1775). Ungainly and plagued with nervous tics, he was the victim of melancholia and could not bear solitude. Johnson had an immense circle of friends, and was one of the greatest conversationalists of all time. Reynolds founded the Literary Club with him in 1764 to 'give him unlimited opportunities for talking'. James Boswell's Life, along with other biographies documented his behaviour and mannerisms in such detail that they have informed the posthumous diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Samuel Johnson, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1597

Samuel Johnson

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1597

Samuel Johnson, reduced copy after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1445

Samuel Johnson

reduced copy after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, mid 19th century, based on a work of circa 1769
NPG 1445

Samuel Johnson, by Edward Hodges Baily, after  Joseph Nollekens - NPG 996

Samuel Johnson

by Edward Hodges Baily, after Joseph Nollekens
marble bust, 1828, based on a work of 1777
NPG 996

Samuel Johnson, by William Cumberland Cruikshank, and  James Hoskins - NPG 4685

Samuel Johnson

by William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust incorporating death-mask, 1784
NPG 4685

Samuel Johnson, by Domenico Brucciani, after  William Cumberland Cruikshank, and  James Hoskins - NPG 498a

Samuel Johnson

by Domenico Brucciani, after William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust, 1878, based on a work of 1784
NPG 498a

Samuel Johnson, by Domenico Brucciani, after  William Cumberland Cruikshank, and  James Hoskins - NPG 498b

Samuel Johnson

by Domenico Brucciani, after William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust, 1878, based on a work of 1784
NPG 498b

Samuel Johnson, by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after a painting by  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 621

Samuel Johnson

by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds
painted plaster figure, 1881
NPG 621

Samuel Johnson, by James Watson, published by  Robert Sayer, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D36536

Samuel Johnson

by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1769)
NPG D36536

Samuel Johnson, by Samuel William Reynolds, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D3176

Samuel Johnson

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1769)
NPG D3176

Samuel Johnson, after Unknown artist - NPG D36532

Samuel Johnson

after Unknown artist
mezzotint printed in colours, late 18th century
NPG D36532

Samuel Johnson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D14796

Samuel Johnson

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1772-1778)
NPG D14796

Samuel Johnson, by William Doughty, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D36534

Samuel Johnson

by William Doughty, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published late 18th century (1772-1778)
NPG D36534

Samuel Johnson ('Old wisdom blinking at the stars'), by James Gillray, published by  W. Rennie - NPG D12300

Samuel Johnson ('Old wisdom blinking at the stars')

by James Gillray, published by W. Rennie
hand-coloured etching, published 10 March 1782
NPG D12300

Samuel Johnson, by Thomas Trotter, published by  George Kearsley - NPG D13814

Samuel Johnson

by Thomas Trotter, published by George Kearsley
etching, published 1782
NPG D13814

Samuel Johnson, by Thomas Trotter, published by  George Kearsley - NPG D16750

Samuel Johnson

by Thomas Trotter, published by George Kearsley
etching, published 1 February 1782
NPG D16750

Dr Johnson in his Travelling Dress as described in Boswell's Tour (Samuel Johnson), by Thomas Trotter, published by  George Kearsley - NPG D34874

Dr Johnson in his Travelling Dress as described in Boswell's Tour (Samuel Johnson)

by Thomas Trotter, published by George Kearsley
line engraving, published 18 January 1786
NPG D34874

'The biographers', by James Sayers, published by  Thomas Cornell - NPG D12243

'The biographers'

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published June 1786
NPG D12243

Related People

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.