The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

John Opie

(1761-1807), Portrait and history painter

Sitter in 13 portraits
Artist associated with 148 portraits
The history painter and portraitist John Opie was introduced to London in 1781 as 'the Cornish Wonder'. His style as a portrait painter was marked by strong realism, and striking contrasts of light and dark. He was also known as a painter of historical and literary subjects, especially for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery.

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

John Wolcot, by John Opie - NPG 830

John Wolcot

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1780
NPG 830

Mary Delany (née Granville), by John Opie - NPG 1030

Mary Delany (née Granville)

by John Opie
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 1782
NPG 1030

Thomas Holcroft, by John Opie - NPG 3130

Thomas Holcroft

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1782
NPG 3130

Samuel Johnson, after John Opie - NPG 1302

Samuel Johnson

after John Opie
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1783-1784
NPG 1302

Francesco Bartolozzi, by John Opie - NPG 222

Francesco Bartolozzi

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1785-1790
NPG 222

John Opie, by John Opie - NPG 47

John Opie

by John Opie
oil on canvas, 1785
NPG 47

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry, attributed to John Opie - NPG 4849

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry

attributed to John Opie
oil on canvas, 1785-1790
NPG 4849

Charles Macklin, by John Opie - NPG 1319

Charles Macklin

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1792
NPG 1319

Henry Fuseli, by John Opie - NPG 744

Henry Fuseli

by John Opie
oil on canvas, feigned oval, exhibited 1794
NPG 744

Mary Wollstonecraft, by John Opie - NPG 1237

Mary Wollstonecraft

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1797
NPG 1237

Amelia Opie, by John Opie - NPG 765

Amelia Opie

by John Opie
oil on canvas, 1798
NPG 765

Henry Bone, by John Opie - NPG 869

Henry Bone

by John Opie
oil on canvas, 1799
NPG 869

Thomas Girtin, by John Opie - NPG 882

Thomas Girtin

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1800
NPG 882

William Henry West Betty, by John Opie - NPG 1392

William Henry West Betty

by John Opie
oil on canvas, 1804
NPG 1392

Thomas Holcroft, by John Opie - NPG 512

Thomas Holcroft

by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1804
NPG 512

Unknown man, formerly known as Edward Daniel Clarke, attributed to John Opie - NPG 813

Unknown man, formerly known as Edward Daniel Clarke

attributed to John Opie
oil on millboard, circa 1805
NPG 813

Samuel William Reynolds, by John Opie - NPG 1320

Samuel William Reynolds

by John Opie
oil on panel, circa 1806
NPG 1320

Abraham Rees, by John Yeatherd, published by Edward Evans, after John Opie - NPG D39666

Abraham Rees

by John Yeatherd, published by Edward Evans, after John Opie
mezzotint, late 18th century
NPG D39666

Charles Dumergue, by Pierre Condé, after John Opie - NPG D2288

Charles Dumergue

by Pierre Condé, after John Opie
stipple engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D2288

Mary, Lady Jerningham, by Joseph Brown, after John Opie - NPG D14977

Mary, Lady Jerningham

by Joseph Brown, after John Opie
stipple engraving, (1782)
NPG D14977

Related People

Place

Links

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.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.