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John Bunyan

1 of 25 portraits of John Bunyan

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John Bunyan

by Thomas Sadler
oil on canvas, 1684
29 1/2 in. x 25 in. (749 mm x 635 mm)
Purchased, 1902
Primary Collection
NPG 1311

On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • John Bunyan (1628-1688), Author of 'The Pilgrim's Progress'. Sitter associated with 25 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Thomas Sadler (circa 1647-circa 1685), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Smartify image discovery app
  • 100 Writers, p. 33
  • Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 44
  • John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 44
  • Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 112
  • Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 44
  • Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 76
  • Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 76 Read entry

    Most people's idea of the Restoration is dominated by images of the Court, so it is useful to have a corrective in this portrait of John Bunyan, tinsmith, soldier and preacher, best known as the author of The Pilgrim's Progress. It was painted by Thomas Sadler, about whom little is known apart from the fact that he is thought to have been a pupil of Lely. It shows Bunyan aged 56, broad-faced, clutching a Bible and dressed in a plain brown coat with an unexpectedly ornate lace collar.

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 87
  • Waterhouse, Ellis Kirkham, The dictionary of 16th & 17th century British painters, 1988, p. 236

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1684back to top

Current affairs

James, Duke of York's influence grows within Charles II's government; the Admiralty commission is abolished, allowing James to resume his role as lord admiral, in all but name. A new generation of Tories, supporters of James are bestowed with influential roles, including Sir George Jeffreys, recently appointed Lord Chief Justice.

Art and science

Italian decorative artist, Antonio Verrio, is appointed 'principal Gardiner and Surveyor' to the King.
Author, John Bunyan, publishes the second part of his Pilgrim's Progress.

International

Luxembourg surrenders to French forces. Renewed fighting between the French Bourbons and the Spanish Habsburgs had broken out the year before when French troops laid seize to Luxembourg and entered the Spanish Netherlands. Charles II rejects Spanish demands for assistance, determined to remain detached from the conflict.

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