John Evelyn

Sitterback to top

• John Evelyn (1620-1706), Diarist and virtuoso. Sitter associated with 13 portraits, Artist associated with 2 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Robert Walker (died 1658), Painter. Artist associated with 128 portraits, Sitter associated with 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Evelyn records in his Diary that he sat to Walker on 1 July 1648, and that his portrait was intended to accompany a treatise on marriage which he had written for his young wife Mary Browne. The portrait originally showed him holding a miniature or medal of his wife. The skull was substituted some years later, with the Greek motto (top) signifying: 'Repentance is the beginning of Wisdom', and the quotation in Latin from Seneca on the importance of preparing for death.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 87
• Jordanova, Ludmilla, Defining Features: Scientific and Medical Portraits 1660-2000, 2000 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 14 April to 17 September 2000), p. 12
• Ollard, Richard, Character Sketches: Samuel Pepys and His Circle, 2000, p. 40
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 61
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 61
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 211

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Skulls and bones
• Stuarts and Civil War tour