Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), Poet, critic and lexicographer
Sitter associated with 50 portraits
Famed as the author of the prodigious Dictionary of the English Language (1755), he gained further prestige through the publication of his new edition of Shakespeare (1765) and his travel memoir A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland (1775). Massive, ungainly, plagued with nervous tics, Johnson was the victim of melancholia and could not bear solitude. He had an immense circle of friends, and was one of the greatest conversationalists of all time. Reynolds founded the Literary Club in 1764 to 'give him unlimited opportunities for talking'. James Boswell's Life, along with other biographies documented Johnson's behaviour and mannerisms in such detail that they have informed the posthumous diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.
by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1756-1757
On display in Room 12 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1597
reduced copy after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, (circa 1769)
NPG 1445
by Edward Hodges Baily, after Joseph Nollekens
marble bust, 1828 (1777)
On display in the Great Staircase Hall at Beningbrough Hall
NPG 996
by James Barry
oil on canvas, circa 1778-1780
NPG 1185
after John Opie
oil on canvas, (1783-1784)
NPG 1302
by William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust incorporating death-mask, 1784
NPG 4685
by Domenico Brucciani, after William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust, 1878 (1784)
NPG 498a
by Domenico Brucciani, after William Cumberland Cruikshank, and James Hoskins
plaster cast of bust, 1878 (1784)
NPG 498b
by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, based on a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds
painted plaster figure, 1881
NPG 621
by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1769)
NPG D36536
by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1769)
NPG D3176
after Unknown artist
mezzotint printed in colours, late 18th century
NPG D36532
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1772-1778)
NPG D14796
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
hand-coloured etching, published 10 March 1782
NPG D12300
by Thomas Trotter, published by George Kearsley
etching, published 1782
NPG D13814
by Thomas Trotter, published by George Kearsley
etching, published 1 February 1782
NPG D16750
Samuel Johnson ('Apollo and the muses, inflicting penance on Dr Pomposo, round Parnassus')
by James Gillray, published by William Holland
hand-coloured etching, published 29 July 1783
NPG D12342
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
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published June 1786
NPG D12243
Dr Johnson's House, London
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield, Staffordshire
The Museum of the Order of St John, London
Category
Art
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Groups
Bluestocking circle
Johnson Literary Club
Poets
Writers and critics
Places
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Staffordshire
Related pages
Thematic collections
Related shop items
Keep in touch
