Item 19: Engraving by Unknown, of John Wilkes, 1768 March 28

Item — Box: 6, Folder: 19

Staff Only

Engraving by Unknown, of John Wilkes, 1768 March 28

Dates

Created: 1768 March 28

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

Additional Description

Condition Note:

Good.

Measurements:

10 ¼ in. x 8 ¼ in.

Title:

John Wilkes

Description:

This item dated March 28, 1768, depicts an engraving of John Wilkes by an unknown creator. The item is a portrait engraving of John Wilkes (1725-1797) celebrating his election as Knight of the Shire (Member of Parliament) for the constituency of Middlesex after his return in exile from Paris. Wilkes is portrayed in a favorable light face 3/4ths to the right and with a scarcely visible cross-eye. To the right of his framed portrait is Heracles donning a lion's skin and holding a club while treading on the serpent of Envy. On Wilkes’ right is Minerva, a Roman icon of wisdom, handicrafts, and war, holding a spear in one hand and crowning him with a laurel wreath. Underneath is Eros holding a rod with a Thracian Cap atop it. In the foreground is a shield with the Union Jack and several books. One book is titled Locke’s Works. This is a reference to John Locke (1632-1704) who wrote extensively on the rights of man and on the relationship between the Government and the Governed. Some of his works include An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), Two Treatises of Government (1690), and Thoughts Concerning Education (1693). Propped up next to it is a book titled Sydney on Government which is a reference to Algernon Sydney (1623-1682) who had been a Whig member of parliament outspoken for the rights of the people to choose their government. Information concerning the publisher, engraver, or artist involved is not known.