Item 13: Mezzotint of John Wilkes, titled, “John Wilkes Esq.” by Johann Phlipp Haid, (removed to Oversized Box #3) , [ca. 1764]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 13
Dates
- [ca. 1764]
Creator
- Haid, John Philipp, 1730-1806 (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:
Mezzotint
Condition Note:
Good.
Measurements:
18in x 13in.
Title:
John Wilkes Esq.
Description:
The following item, dated circa 1764, depicts a mezzotint of John Wilkes (1725-1797) by Johann Philipp Haid. In the image, Wilkes is sitting and leaning right with a quill in hand. Before him is an array of books and scrolls. Below his image is inscribed, “The Undertaking of the Imperial Academy at Frankfurt, published in Augsburg With the grace and privilege of His Sacred Imperial Majesty,” in Latin. On the table is a book titled “Sydney on Government”. Next to it is a note labeled “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”. 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. One scroll is titled “Magna Charta” which is a reference to the Magna Carta, a English Charter which was the first move towards democracy in that it was introduced for the protection of the property of the Church and Barons which limited the power of the English crown. To the far right of the piece is a figure mounted atop a doric column leaning on a shield adorned with a solar motif and holding a magnifying glass The symbolism is indicative of an allegory for reason, enlightenment and knowledge. These likely reflect the artist's view on Wilkes, where he is represented as an astute intellectual and the culmination of the English tradition of liberty.
Transcription:
John Wilkes Esq.
Negotium Academiae Caesareae Francofurti excud- Aug. Vind.
Cum Gratia et Privilegio Sat Ces Majestatis
Ion Philipp Haid Sculp’t [engraved]
Translation:
The Undertaking of the Imperial Academy at Frankfurt, published in Augsburg
With the grace and privilege of His Sacred Imperial Majesty
Creator
- Haid, John Philipp, 1730-1806 (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