Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

John Wilkes (1727–1797), MP

Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

John Wilkes was a vociferous advocate of Parliamentary reform. He was expelled from the House of Commons and imprisoned, and as a result became a popular defender of freedom against tyranny of ministers and, by association, the Monarchy. Wilkes was also a major figure amongst the artistic community. He was a campaigner for the establishment of the National Gallery, and as treasurer to the Foundling Hospital he would have known major artists associated with it such as Hogarth, Highmore and Hayman. Whitely writes 'Wilkes was fairly free from vanity, he was notoriously one of the ugliest men in London', and it was said by contemporaries that even Hogarth's caricature (published in 1763) was flattering. Pine was an admirer of Wilkes and, like him, a supporter of American republicanism.
Title

John Wilkes (1727–1797), MP

Date

1768

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 127 x W 101.6 cm

Accession number

WOA 2935

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Parliamentary Art Collection

The Curator's Office, Department of Information Services, House of Commons, 1 Canon Row, Greater London SW1A 0AA England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue