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John Wesley

(1703-1791), Methodist leader

Early Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 30 portraits
Wesley was the founder of Methodism. This evangelical movement grew from the 'Holy Club' of his Oxford friends, in the late 1720s, into the most influential religious group in eighteenth-century Britain. A Church of England clergyman, Wesley gave sermons around the country, averaging 8,000 miles a year on horseback, and wrote hundreds of hymns and tracts. The reluctance of the Anglican clergy to lend him their pulpits led him, urged on by fellow clergyman George Whitefield, to preach in the open air. This unorthodox decision ensured Methodism reached the masses as well as people who were alienated by the Church's complacency. He was the brother of Charles and uncle of Samuel.

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John Wesley, by Nathaniel Hone - NPG 135

John Wesley

by Nathaniel Hone
oil on canvas, circa 1766
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 135

John Wesley, attributed to Samuel Manning Sr, or  Samuel Manning Jr - NPG 271

John Wesley

attributed to Samuel Manning Sr, or Samuel Manning Jr
marble bust, circa 1825-1851
NPG 271

John Wesley, by John Faber Jr, published by and after  John Michael Williams - NPG D19399

John Wesley

by John Faber Jr, published by and after John Michael Williams
mezzotint, published 10 September 1743
NPG D19399

John Wesley, by James Watson, printed for  Robert Sayer, after  J. Williams - NPG D4741

John Wesley

by James Watson, printed for Robert Sayer, after J. Williams
mezzotint, published circa 1745-1794
NPG D4741

John Wesley, by James Watson, printed by  Robert Sayer, after  J. Williams - NPG D14216

John Wesley

by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after J. Williams
mezzotint, published circa 1745-1794
NPG D14216

John Wesley, by George Vertue, after  John Michael Williams - NPG D37652

John Wesley

by George Vertue, after John Michael Williams
engraving, 1746
NPG D37652

John Wesley, printed and sold by John Tinney - NPG D37683

John Wesley

printed and sold by John Tinney
mezzotint, before 1761
NPG D37683

John Wesley, by Bland, after  Nathaniel Hone - NPG D16939

John Wesley

by Bland, after Nathaniel Hone
line engraving, circa 1766
NPG D16939

John Wesley, after Nathaniel Hone - NPG D4740

John Wesley

after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 1770
NPG D4740

John Wesley, by John Greenwood, after  Nathaniel Hone - NPG D8305

John Wesley

by John Greenwood, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 20 December 1770 (circa 1766)
NPG D8305

John Wesley, by James Fittler, published by  James Milbourne, published by  John Brydon, after  William Hamilton - NPG D37684

John Wesley

by James Fittler, published by James Milbourne, published by John Brydon, after William Hamilton
line engraving, published November 1788 (1788)
NPG D37684

John Wesley, by James Fittler, published by  James Milbourne, published by  John Brydon, after  William Hamilton - NPG D37685

John Wesley

by James Fittler, published by James Milbourne, published by John Brydon, after William Hamilton
line engraving, published November 1788 (1788)
NPG D37685

John Wesley, by William Nelson Gardiner, published by  Edward Harding, after  Silvester (Sylvester) Harding - NPG D2978

John Wesley

by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 10 March 1788
NPG D2978

John Wesley, by James Fittler, published by  James Milbourne, after  William Hamilton - NPG D19112

John Wesley

by James Fittler, published by James Milbourne, after William Hamilton
line engraving, published November 1788 (1788)
NPG D19112

James Hamilton; John Wesley; Joseph Cole, by Consitt & Goodwill, after  John Kay - NPG D16248

James Hamilton; John Wesley; Joseph Cole

by Consitt & Goodwill, after John Kay
line engraving, (1790)
NPG D16248

John Wesley, by Thomas Holloway - NPG D8303

John Wesley

by Thomas Holloway
line engraving, published 1791
NPG D8303

John Wesley, after John Jackson - NPG D8306

John Wesley

after John Jackson
stipple and line engraving, circa 1791-1830
NPG D8306

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