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John Wilkes

(1725-1797), Journalist, agitator and politician; MP for Aylesbury and Middlesex

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 49 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
Radical politician. Wilkes's imprisonment for libel and banishment from the House of Commons brought into question the validity of parliamentary elections. Arrested in 1763 for publishing an attack on the King's speech in his newspaper The North Briton, his case became a popular cause, sparking violent public protests to the cry of 'Wilkes and Liberty'. Finally permitted to take his seat in 1774, he was then elected Lord Mayor of London. With his squint, crossed eyes and long jaw, Wilkes was called the ugliest man in England at the time, but he was well known for his verbal wit and snappy responses to insults.

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John Wilkes, by Unknown artist - NPG 284

John Wilkes

by Unknown artist
black and white chalk with grey wash on paper, 1769?
NPG 284

'The Times', Plate 1, by William Hogarth - NPG D21366

'The Times', Plate 1

by William Hogarth
etching and engraving, published 1762
NPG D21366

John Wilkes, after Unknown artist - NPG D22618

John Wilkes

after Unknown artist
wax impression of a seal, (1763-1768)
NPG D22618

John Wilkes, by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by  Carington Bowles - NPG D37521

John Wilkes

by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by Carington Bowles
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D37521

John Wilkes, by William Hogarth - NPG D1362

John Wilkes

by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D1362

John Wilkes, by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller) - NPG D8329

John Wilkes

by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller)
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D8329

John Wilkes, by William Hogarth - NPG D8506

John Wilkes

by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D8506

John Wilkes, by William Hogarth - NPG D13903

John Wilkes

by William Hogarth
etching, published 16 May 1763
NPG D13903

John Wilkes, by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by  Carington Bowles - NPG D14332

John Wilkes

by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), published by Carington Bowles
line engraving, published 1763
NPG D14332

John Wilkes, by James Watson, after  Robert Edge Pine - NPG D37526

John Wilkes

by James Watson, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1764
NPG D37526

John Wilkes, by James Wilson, after  Robert Edge Pine - NPG D8508

John Wilkes

by James Wilson, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1764
NPG D8508

John Wilkes, by Johann Philipp Haid, published by  Kaiserlich Franziskiche Academie - NPG D19995

John Wilkes

by Johann Philipp Haid, published by Kaiserlich Franziskiche Academie
mezzotint, 1764 or after
NPG D19995

John Wilkes ('English Liberty established or a Mirrour for Posterity'), printed for J. Lee, sold by  John Williams, sold by  J. Kingsberry - NPG D21661

John Wilkes ('English Liberty established or a Mirrour for Posterity')

printed for J. Lee, sold by John Williams, sold by J. Kingsberry
etching and line engraving, published May 1768
NPG D21661

John Wilkes, by John June - NPG D21662

John Wilkes

by John June
etching and line engraving, 1768
NPG D21662

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