Item 15: Engraving by G[erard] Sibelius, [ca. 1764] of John Wilkes, after R[obert]. E[dge]. Pine, [ca. bef. 1764]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 15
Dates
- Created: [ca. bef. 1764]
Creator
- Pine, Robert Edge, 1730?-1788 (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:
13 ⅜ in. x 10 ⅞ in. {portrait}; 14 ⅜ in. x 12 ½ in. {backing}
Title:
John Wilkes, Esq.r
Description:
The following item dated circa 1764, depicts an engraving by Gerard Sibelius of John Wilkes (1725-1797), after an original painting by Robert Edge Pine, dated circa before 1764. In the image, Wilkes is sitting at a table, one arm resting on the table and one on his leg. He is holding a quill and looking to the right. On the table is a book titled “Sydney on Government.” Next to it is a note labelled “To Hum Cotes Esq London”. The note makes references to the correspondences Wilkes had with a close friend and ally Humphrey Cotes (1717-1775). During Wilkes’ exile, Cotes managed his finances, though he would go bankrupt himself. In Front of the table is a significant seal titled “Hampden”. Though it describes Wilkes as the “Late Member of Parliament for Aylesbury” this piece was made during Wilkes’ lifetime in 1764, the same year of his expulsion from parliament and the start of his self imposed exile. From the style and elements of the piece, the engraver, Gerard Sibelius (1734-1785) and painter, Robert Edge Pine (1730-1788), were sympathetic to Wilkes and his political agenda. They have not exaggerated his features in a caricature, softening the cross of his eye compared with items, and depicting him with no discernable underbite. It can also be interpreted that the engravers viewed Wilkes as a symbol of English Liberty from two items, the book and the seal. The book, titled “Sydney on Government” is a reference to Algernon Sydney (1723-1783) who was a proponent for republicanism, specifically, his most famous work “Discourses on Government” which most prominently criticized inherited monarchy. Likewise, the seal which has "Hampden" written on it, a reference to a John Hampden (1595-1643), a figure who fought on the Parliamentarian side of the English Civil War who was known for his good character and his ability to mediate the faction differences of his allies.
Transcription:
R.E. Pine Pinx [painted] G. Sibelius Sculpr. [engraved]
Iohn Wilkes, Esq’r
Late Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. | Voorheen Lid in het Parlemt. Van Engeland wegens Aylesbury
Vitgregeeren by Act van het Parlement 1764
In Pencil:
Published over 20 years
Creator
- Pine, Robert Edge, 1730?-1788 (Person)
- Sibelius, Gerard, 1734-1785 (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