Item 12: Engraving by [Johann Martin Will], [ca. 1763-1806] of John Wilkes, after [William] Hogarth, [ca. bef. 1763]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 12
Dates
- Created: [ca. bef. 1763]
Creator
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Engraving.
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
10 ⅞ in. x 7 ¾ in. (with backing); 5 ½ in. x 3 ⅝ in. (without backing)
Title:
The following item dated, circa 1763-1806, depicts a caricature portrait of John Wilkes, by Johann Martin Will, after an original by William Hogarth. In the image, Wilkes is depicted whole-length, seated to front, and bent slightly forward. His head is turned to the left, and his right hand sits on his knee. A table on the left has boxes and papers, with one paper lettered 'North Britain / Number 45'. The whole image is captured in an oval frame, whose foundation shows a quill pen and ink well. They are placed with books and scroll with title, North Briton No 17. This image is made as a caricature of Wilkes’ features, emphasizing a crossed eye and underbite.
Beneath the image is an epigraph, stating “gravé d’après l’original du Sieur Hogarth à Londres,” which means, “engraved after the original of Sir Hogarth in London.” This engraving was produced after the original image by William Hogarth. Others have made duplicate renditions of Wilkes’ image captured here, such as Johann Freidrich Bause (1738-1814).
Within the piece are two pieces of paper titled “North Britton No 17.” and another in the background “North Britton No 45.” These refer to the 17th and 45th editions of Wilkes’ publication The North Briton. In the 17th issue, published on September 25, 1762, Wilkes criticized William Hogarth as vain, envious, and only capable of satirical works. It was an extensive attack on Hogarth’s abilities as an artist and his negative perspective as a satirist. This inclusion in the engraving is indicative of this piece, like others that would come after it, being a retaliation. The 45th issue, published April 23, 1763, was a criticism of King George the III (1738-1820) after giving a speech in support of the Treaty of Paris (1763) which ended the Seven Years War. For this Wilkes would be arrested for the first time for libel, however, he beat the charges.
The original piece by Hogarth has been estimated by The British Museum dates this piece to 1763, which follows given that it is preceded by the two volumes of the North Briton. This print was made by William Hogarth (1697-1764) and Johann Freidrich Bause (1738-1814) after.
Transcription:
John Wilkes Esqr
gravé d’après l’original du Sieur Hogarth à Londres.
{Translation} engraved after the original of Sir Hogarth in London
{Translation} engraved after the original of Sir Hogarth in London
Creator
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 (Person)
- Will, Johann Martin, 1727-1806 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu