Item 14: Engraving of John Wilkes titled, “John Wilkes Esq.” by R[obert] E[dge] Pine and G[erard] Sibelius (removed to black box #1), 1764
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 14
Dates
- 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
From the Collection: 17 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Engraving.
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
15 ½ in. x 10 ½ in.
Title:
Iohn Wilkes, Esq’r.
Description:
An engraving of a John Wilkes (1725-1797) sat at a table, one arm resting on the table and one on his leg. He is holding a quill and looking to the right left. 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 engravers, Robert Edge Pine (1730-1788) and Gerard Sibelius (1734-1785), were sympathetic to Wilkes and his political agenda. 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 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 *[Pinxit/ He Painted] G. Sibelius Sculpr.*[Sculp./ Engraved/Engraver]
Iohn Wilkes, Esq’r Late Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. | Vorheen Lid in het Parlem’t. Van Engeland wegens Aylesbury
Published according to Act of Parliament 1764 | Vitgregeeren by Act van het Parlement 1764
Iohn Wilkes, Esq’r Late Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. | Vorheen Lid in het Parlem’t. Van Engeland wegens Aylesbury
Published according to Act of Parliament 1764 | Vitgregeeren by Act van het Parlement 1764
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