Benjamin Wilson
(1721-1788), Portrait painter and scientistSitter in 5 portraits
Artist associated with 44 portraits
Wilson was the son of a wealthy clothes manufacturer in York. After his father's business failed, Wilson moved to London, where he became a clerk and began to study painting. In the late 1740s, he lived in Dublin, where he had a successful career as a portrait painter. He returned to London and built up a lucrative portrait practice, which was probably patronised chiefly by Yorkshire men in London. In 1773, the Duke of York, appointed Wilson painter to the Board of Ordnance. A student of chemistry, Wilson developed a particular interest in exploring static electricity. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1751, and in 1760, he received the society's Copley medal for his electrical experiments.
by Benjamin Wilson
oil on canvas, circa 1752-1755
NPG 6249
by Benjamin Wilson
oil on canvas, 1758-1759
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by Benjamin Wilson
oil on canvas, 1762
NPG 560
after Benjamin Wilson
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1788
NPG 2942
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1749
NPG D4833
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1749
NPG D4834
by Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1749
NPG D4835
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1750
NPG D30404
Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt
by James Macardell, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1750-1765
NPG D35320
Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt
by James Macardell, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1750-1765
NPG D35321
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1750
NPG D39795
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
by and sold by Richard Houston, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1750-1775
NPG D39825
Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt
by James Macardell, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1750-1765
NPG D3224
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1750
NPG D4037
by Edward Fisher, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, 1750s-1770s
NPG D588
by Edward Fisher, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, 1750s-1770s
NPG D589
by Edward Fisher, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, 1750s-1770s
NPG D590
Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt
by James Macardell, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, circa 1750-1765
NPG D18776
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, published 1752
NPG D42635
by Benjamin Wilson
etching, 1752 or after
NPG D6938
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