Sir John Gardner Wilkinson
(1797-1875), Explorer and EgyptologistEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 4 portraits
Wilkinson, an early Victorian authority on Ancient Egypt, spent twelve years, from 1821 to 1833 in the country, learning Coptic and Arabic, furthering his knowledge of hieroglyphics, and surveying and recording the remains of ancient Egyptian society. Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians was published in two series in 1837 and 1841, and enhanced his reputation as an Egyptologist. Between 1841 and 1856, Wilkinson revisited Egypt four times, as well as travelling through Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and North Africa. After his marriage in 1856, Wilkinson focused his studies on British archaeology and antiquities, and published several article on these subjects.
by William Brockedon
chalk, 1838
NPG 2515(86)
by Alfred, Count D'Orsay
pencil and black chalk, 1839
NPG 4026(28)
by Ernest Edwards, published by Lovell Reeve & Co
albumen print, published 1863
NPG Ax13829
by James Charles Smallcombe
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x14398
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