Jonathan Swift

1 portrait

Jonathan Swift

by Charles Jervas
oil on canvas, circa 1718
48 1/2 in. x 38 1/4 in. (1232 mm x 972 mm)
Purchased, 1869
Primary Collection
NPG 278

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Sitterback to top

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), Satirist and divine. Sitter associated with 22 portraits.

Artistback to top

Charles Jervas (1675-1739), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 40 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait of Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick's in Dublin, was painted in about 1718. He is dressed in the robes and clerical collar appropriate to his position. Although he was an ordained priest Swift was far from being a conventional Christian and is known today as the author of Gulliver's Travels, a satire on contemporary politics and manners. Swift spent much of his life in fierce dispute with his literary and political opponents whom he saw as intellectual pygmies. He is depicted in this portrait at his writing table with paper and quill in hand. On the table rests copies of Aesop, Horace and Lucian.