John Knox
(circa 1514-1572), Scottish reformer and historianSitter associated with 35 portraits
John Knox was the foremost leader of the Scottish Reformation, who set the austere moral tone of the Church of Scotland and shaped the democratic form of government it adopted. He was influenced by George Wishart, who was burned for heresy in 1546, and the following year Knox became the spokesman for the Reformation in Scotland. After a period of intermittent imprisonment and exile in England and on the European continent, in 1559 he returned to Scotland, where he supervised the preparation of the constitution and liturgy of the Reformed Church. His most important literary work was his History of the Reformation in Scotland.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
Unknown man, formerly known as John Knox
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, late 16th century
NPG 72
after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
woodcut?, possibly 1586
NPG D25289
after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
engraving, 17th century?
NPG D20938
by Hendrik Hondius (Hond), after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
line engraving, 1602
NPG D21442
by Hendrik Hondius (Hond), after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
line engraving, 1602
NPG D25284
by Hendrik Hondius (Hond), after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
line engraving, 1602
NPG D20939
by Gaspar Bouttats, after Hendrik-Frans Verbruggen
line engraving, mid-late 17th century
NPG D20941
after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
line engraving, circa 1650
NPG D42332
'The Candle is lighted, we can not blow out' (Leading Theologians of the Protestant Reformation)
published by John Garrett
line engraving, after 1673
NPG D24005
Ignatius Loyola and other religious figures
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24795
by Étienne Jehandier Desrochers
line engraving, possibly early 18th century
NPG D25283
after Adrian Vanson (van Son)
line engraving, probably early 18th century
NPG D25285
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25286
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25287
Unknown man, formerly known as John Knox
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 18th century
NPG D3443
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