Item 4: Engraving of John Wilkes by J[ohann Sebastian] M[u]ller, Black Background, [ca. mid-late eighteenth century]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 4
Dates
- Created: [ca. mid-late eighteenth century]
Creator
- Müller, Johann Sebastian, 1715-1785 (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:
8 ¼ in. x 5 ¼ in.
Title:
John Wilkes, Esqr
Description:
The following item, dated circa mid-late eighteenth century, depicts an engraving by J. Miller, Johann Sebastian Muller, of John Wilkes. The image depicts Wilkes in a bust-length portrait, framed in an ornate, oval frame. He is leaning forward slightly, with his head to the left. He is wearing a white collar and under-vest. His jacket is a darker color with button detailing. He wears a powdered wig. Beneath the image, printed text depicts “Iohn [John] Wilkes Esqr [Esquire],” along with the engraver’s name, J. Miller, Johann Sebastian Muller.
His features are less caricature than in other items, with a softening of the exaggeration we see in his crossed eyes in items such as item 6.19, and no discernable underbite.
An accompanying exhibit caption states: “Another copy of the pine portrait, but by J. Miller.”
The dates for the item have been estimated by the life dates of Muller, its creator.
Transcription:
J Miller Sculp [engraver]
“IOHN WILKES Esqr [Esquire]”
Creator:
John Miller (1715–c.1792), also known as Johann Sebastian Müller, was a German engraver and botanist active in London. Born in Nuremberg, he trained under Johann Christoph Weigel and came to England in 1744 with his brother Tobias–an engraver of architecture–and lived there the rest of his life. He worked with Philip Miller of Chelsea Physic Garden. He signed his early works J. S. Müller or J. S. Miller, but after 1760 used the signature of John Miller. His works included a 20-part series Illustratio Systematis Sexualis Linnaei (Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus), which helped popularize the work of Carl Linnaeus to English readers. He also produced collaborative works such as Botanical Tables (1785), with John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute. Furthermore, he painted landscapes, which, as well as some of his engravings, he exhibited with the Society of Arts and at the Royal Academy from 1762 to 1788. He was twice married, and had in all twenty-seven children: two of his sons, John Frederick Miller and James Müller or Miller, also became known as illustrators. The standard author abbreviation J.S.Muell. is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/johann-sebastian-muller-25174
Creator
- Müller, Johann Sebastian, 1715-1785 (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