Sir David Wilkie
20 of 21 portraits of Sir David Wilkie
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Sir David Wilkie
by Sir George Scharf, after Sir David Wilkie
pencil on tracing paper, 1859
6 1/4 in. x 5 1/8 in. (160 mm x 130 mm)
Reference Collection
NPG D151
Sitterback to top
- Sir David Wilkie (1785-1841), Painter. Sitter in 21 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 17 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), Artist and art historian; first Director and later trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Artist or producer associated with 588 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.
- Sir David Wilkie (1785-1841), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 17 portraits, Sitter in 21 portraits.
Events of 1859back to top
Current affairs
Formation of the first Liberal cabinet, following the dissolution of Parliament in light of the Liberal and opposition member Lord Russell's introduction of a resolution arguing for widening the franchise, carried because the Conservatives, the ruling party, only have a minority. Palmerston holds a meeting of Whigs, Peelites and Radicals, from which the Liberal Party is formed, and the Queen later invites him to become Prime Minister.Art and science
Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species is published, in which he sets out his theory of evolution based on the process of natural selection, species mutation, and survival of the fittest.The engineer Joseph Bazalgette begins work on constructing the London sewerage system, following the 'Big Stink' of the preceding summer. Bazalgette's system, now extended, continues to serve London.
International
Outbreak of war between an alliance of France and Italian nationalists, and Austria. Napoleon III signs an armistice with Austria. However, pressure from Britain, supporting Italian unification to counterweight French and Austrian influence, leads to success for Italian nationalists.The first oil well is drilled in America, after Edwin Drake's discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania, transforming a quiet farming region into Oil Creek.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.