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John Locke

(1632-1704), Philosopher

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 36 portraits
A philosopher of wide influence, Locke was forced to flee to Holland in 1684 because he was associated with the opposition to both King Charles II and King James II. On the accession to the throne of William and Mary, he returned to England and was made Commissioner of Appeals, in which role he acted as an advisor to the government. He was also a friend of Newton and Boyle and an active member of the Royal Society, which promoted scientific exploration. Alongside his philosophical work, he was involved in the founding of the English colony in Carolina and had financial interests in other colonial ventures such as the Bahamas Company and the Royal African Company, which had a monopoly over the Transatlantic Slave Trade. However, Locke’s theories about natural rights and liberties were important ideological sources for the anti-slavery movement in the following century.

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John Locke, by Michael Dahl - NPG 114

John Locke

by Michael Dahl
oil on canvas, circa 1693
On display in Room 9 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 114

John Locke, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 550

John Locke

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of 1704
NPG 550

John Locke, by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after  Sylvester Brounower - NPG D20844

John Locke

by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Sylvester Brounower
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D20844

John Locke, by Joseph Nutting, after  Sylvester Brounower - NPG D31278

John Locke

by Joseph Nutting, after Sylvester Brounower
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D31278

John Locke, by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after  John Greenhill - NPG D5096

John Locke

by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after John Greenhill
line engraving, (circa 1672-1676)
NPG D5096

John Locke, after John Greenhill - NPG D5097

John Locke

after John Greenhill
line engraving, (circa 1672-1676)
NPG D5097

Worthies of Britain, by Francis Kyte, published by  John Bowles - NPG D26773

Worthies of Britain

by Francis Kyte, published by John Bowles
mezzotint, early to mid 18th century
NPG D26773

John Locke, by Francis Kyte, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D3606

John Locke

by Francis Kyte, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D3606

John Locke, by John Simon, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D3605

John Locke

by John Simon, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1704)
NPG D3605

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D18162

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1713 (1697)
NPG D18162

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31279

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1714 (1697)
NPG D31279

John Locke, by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D5098

John Locke

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1721
NPG D5098

John Locke, by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11501

John Locke

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1721
NPG D11501

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