Item 10: Engraving of John Wilkes by Johann Sebastian Müller, (removed to Black Box #1), 1763 June 30
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 10
Dates
- Created: 1763 June 30
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:
15 ½ in. x 10 ½ in.
Title:
John Wilkes, Esqr. Member of Parliament for Aylesbury Bucks.
Description:
The following item dated 1763 June 30, depicts an engraving of John Wilkes by Johann Sebastian Müller. The portrait displays Wilkes in a bust-length, profile depiction. He has on a powdered wig, white neck cravat, and two piece jacket and vest. The image appears to be a caricature of Wilkes, as the image depicts him with exaggerated features, including a crossed eye and underbite. There is another item in the collection, Portrait of John Wilkes, by Johann Christian Gottfried, [ca. 1780], after Johann Sebastian Müller, [ca. 1763], which depicts an alternate image with less exaggeration.
An accompanying exhibition caption states: “Wilkes was the son of a successful distiller. He also married money: the marriage did not last, the money lasted longer. With the help of influential friends, Wilkes secured (or purchased) a seat in parliament from Aylesbury in 1757, and won the general election in 1761. The North Briton controversy made Wilkes a popular hero on both sides of the Atlantic. Six weeks after Hogarth’s unflattering view of Wilkes, this heroic pro-Wilkes print appeared. The verse is from Alexander Pope. There was even a German version of the print.”
Transcription:
John Wilkes Esqr.
Member of Parliament for Aylesbury Bucks
Great without Title, beyond Fortune bless[e]’d;
Rich ev[e]’n when plunder[e]’d honour[e]’d while opress[e]’d;
Lov[e]’d without Youth, & follow[e]’d without Power;
At Home, tho’ exil[e]’d: free, tho’ in the Tower.
Pope
J, Miller del:et Sculp: [engraved], Publ[ished]: acc[ording]: to the Act June 30 1763. By J, Miller. Maiden Lane. Price: 2.s 6.d
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