Benjamin Wilson
(1721-1788), Portrait painter and scientistSitter in 5 portraits
Artist associated with 44 portraits
Wilson was the son of a wealthy clothes manufacturer in York. After his father's business failed, Wilson moved to London, where he became a clerk and began to study painting. In the late 1740s, he lived in Dublin, where he had a successful career as a portrait painter. He returned to London and built up a lucrative portrait practice, which was probably patronised chiefly by Yorkshire men in London. In 1773, the Duke of York, appointed Wilson painter to the Board of Ordnance. A student of chemistry, Wilson developed a particular interest in exploring static electricity. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1751, and in 1760, he received the society's Copley medal for his electrical experiments.
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, published 1752
NPG D8620
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, published 1752
NPG D8621
by Benjamin Wilson, after Rupert Barber
etching, published 1752
NPG D13923
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1753
NPG D8302
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
by Richard Houston, printed for Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1760-1775
NPG D4093
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
by Richard Houston, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1760-1775
NPG D19319
by Charles Spooner, published by Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 1761
NPG D14163
by Edward Fisher, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 1769
NPG D5106
by Edward Fisher, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 14 July 1769
NPG D5107
by James Basire, by and after Benjamin Wilson
etching and line engraving, published 4 December 1770
NPG D40558
by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 24 January 1771
NPG D40411
by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 24 January 1771
NPG D40412
by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 24 January 1771
NPG D14461
Anne Hussey (née Delaval), Lady Stanhope as Calista in Rowe's 'Fair Penitent'
by James Basire, after Benjamin Wilson
line engraving, published 1 May 1772
NPG D41862
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, circa 1773
NPG D49500
by James Basire, after William Mason, and after Benjamin Wilson
line engraving, published 1 March 1775 (circa 1771)
NPG D14054
by Richard Earlom, printed for Robert Sayer, printed for John Bennett, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 20 September 1779
NPG D21464
by Richard Earlom, printed for Robert Sayer, printed for John Bennett, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 20 September 1779
NPG D643
Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 3rd Bt
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, before 1788
NPG D36219
by James Heath, after Benjamin Wilson
line engraving, published circa 1790-1800
NPG D14337
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