1 OF 30 
John Wesley
1 of 30 portraits of John Wesley
John Wesley
by Nathaniel Hone
oil on canvas, circa 1766
49 1/2 in. x 39 1/4 in. (1257 mm x 997 mm)
Purchased, 1861
Primary Collection
NPG 135
Click on the links below to find out more:
Artistback to top
- Nathaniel Hone (1718-1784), Portrait and miniature painter. Artist associated with 56 portraits, Sitter in 9 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement which grew from the 'Holy Club' of his Oxford friends into a great religious revival. An indefatigable traveller, preacher and writer, Wesley averaged 8,000 miles a year on horseback and gave 15 sermons a week. The reluctance of the Anglican clergy to lend him their pulpits led him to give some of his sermons in the open air, a decision which enabled him to reach those among the poorer sections of society who were not accustomed to going to church. Here Wesley is depicted preaching in a rural setting.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Audio Guide
- Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 55
- Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 297
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 653
Thematic collections
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On display in Room 11 at the National Portrait Gallery
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