John Locke
(1632-1704), PhilosopherLater 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.
by John Greenhill
oil on canvas, 1672
NPG 3912
by Herman Verelst
oil on canvas, 1689
On display at Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley
NPG 3846
by Sylvester Brounower
plumbago and watercolour, circa 1693
NPG 4061
by Michael Dahl
oil on canvas, 1696
On display at Lyme Park, Stockport
NPG 5385
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of 1704
NPG 550
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Sylvester Brounower
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D20844
by Joseph Nutting, after Sylvester Brounower
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D31278
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after John Greenhill
line engraving, (circa 1672-1676)
NPG D5096
after John Greenhill
line engraving, (circa 1672-1676)
NPG D5097
by Francis Kyte, published by John Bowles
mezzotint, early to mid 18th century
NPG D26773
by Francis Kyte, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D3606
by John Simon, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1704)
NPG D3605
by Jean Dassier
bronze medal, 1704
NPG D7041
by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1713 (1697)
NPG D18162
by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1714 (1697)
NPG D31279
Gilbert Burnet; John Locke; Humphrey Prideaux; Samuel Clarke
by John Simon
mezzotint, circa 1715-1724
NPG D5100
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1721
NPG D5098
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1721
NPG D11501
by Francis Kyte
mezzotint, after 1725
NPG D1443
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.