John Wilkes
(1725-1797), Journalist, agitator and politician; MP for Aylesbury and MiddlesexMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 49 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
Radical politician. Wilkes's imprisonment for libel and banishment from the House of Commons brought into question the validity of parliamentary elections. Arrested in 1763 for publishing an attack on the King's speech in his newspaper The North Briton, his case became a popular cause, sparking violent public protests to the cry of 'Wilkes and Liberty'. Finally permitted to take his seat in 1774, he was then elected Lord Mayor of London. With his squint, crossed eyes and long jaw, Wilkes was called the ugliest man in England at the time, but he was well known for his verbal wit and snappy responses to insults.
by Unknown artist
silver medal, 1768
NPG 1702
John Glynn, John Wilkes and John Horne Tooke
after Richard Houston
oil on canvas, based on a work of after 1769
NPG 1944
by Unknown artist
black and white chalk with grey wash on paper, 1769?
NPG 284
'John Wilkes and his daughter Polly' (Mary ('Polly') Wilkes; John Wilkes)
by Johan Joseph Zoffany
oil on canvas, exhibited 1782
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6133
John Wilkes ('Patriotick Meteors')
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1760s
NPG D8326
John Wilkes ('Malice and Fortitude')
after Unknown artist
line and stipple engraving, 1760s
NPG D8505
by William Hogarth
etching and engraving, published 1762
NPG D21366
after Unknown artist
wax impression of a seal, (1763-1768)
NPG D22618
by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by Carington Bowles
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D37521
by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D1362
by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller)
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D8329
by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D8506
by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D13903
by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by Carington Bowles
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D14332
by James Watson, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1764
NPG D37526
by James Wilson, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1764
NPG D8508
by Johann Philipp Haid, published by Kaiserlich Franziskiche Academie
mezzotint, 1764 or after
NPG D19995
John Wilkes ('Mr Wilkes's address of thanks to his Electors')
by John June
etching and line engraving, 1768
NPG D21657
John Wilkes ('English Liberty established or a Mirrour for Posterity')
printed for J. Lee, sold by John Williams, sold by J. Kingsberry
etching and line engraving, published May 1768
NPG D21661
by John June
etching and line engraving, 1768
NPG D21662
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