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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

John Locke, by Johann Christoph Sysang, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31275

John Locke

by Johann Christoph Sysang, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid 18th century (1697)
NPG D31275

John Locke, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31280

John Locke

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D31280

John Locke, by John Faber Jr, published by  Thomas Bowles Jr, and published by  John Bowles - NPG D31281

John Locke

by John Faber Jr, published by Thomas Bowles Jr, and published by John Bowles
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D31281

John Locke, by John Faber Jr, published by  Thomas Bowles Jr, and published by  John Bowles - NPG D31282

John Locke

by John Faber Jr, published by Thomas Bowles Jr, and published by John Bowles
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D31282

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30980

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1738 (1697)
NPG D30980

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31283

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1738
NPG D31283

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D37398

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1738 (1697)
NPG D37398

John Locke, by George Vertue, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D42902

John Locke

by George Vertue, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1738 (1697)
NPG D42902

John Locke, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D14080

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1738 (1697)
NPG D14080

John Locke, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30977

John Locke

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30977

John Locke, by James Neagle, after  Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki - NPG D5099

John Locke

by James Neagle, after Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
line engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D5099

John Locke, by William Holl Sr, or by  William Holl Jr, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31276

John Locke

by William Holl Sr, or by William Holl Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D31276

John Locke, by William Holl Sr, or by  William Holl Jr, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31277

John Locke

by William Holl Sr, or by William Holl Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D31277

Web image not currently available

John Locke

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1704?)
NPG D19268

Web image not currently available

John Locke

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1713 (1697)
NPG D19649

Web image not currently available

John Locke

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1721
NPG D19299

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