John Wilkes Esq.r.

DateMay 23, 1768

Engraver Kitcheman

After work by Robert Edge Pine (ca. 1730-1788)

Publisher Matthew Darly (ca. 1720 - 1780)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 20 1/2 × 16 3/8in. (52.1 × 41.6cm) Other (Plate): 20 × 14in. (50.8 × 35.6cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1975-188

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "John Wilkes Esq.r/ R.E. Pine pinx./ Kitcheman delin./ MEMBER of PARLIAMENT for the COUNTY of MIDDLESEX/ Friend to Liberty, a Lover of his King, opposer of Ministerial Tyranny & Defender of his Country./ Publish'd pursuant to Act of Parliament May 23.d 1768 by M. Darly in the Strand N.o 39."
Label TextThis print of radical politician and journalist John Wilkes was created during the Middlesex Election Controversy, when Wilkes repeatedly ran for Parliament in Middlesex County, England, won the seat, and was expelled by Parliament. Wilkes was expelled on the basis that he had been an outlaw at the time of his election. In 1764, the court ruled that members of Parliament were not exempt from being prosecuted for seditious libel, which referred to criticism of the government, or obscene libel. Wilkes frequently criticized the government in this newspaper the "North Briton," particularly the 45th issue, so he fled to France and was declared an outlaw. Upon his return to England after four years, Wilkes ran for a seat in Parliament, the prominent Middlesex County seat. In this portrait, Wilkes is surrounded by papers that reference the election controversy, with Wilkes writing “to the Gentlemen, Clergy, & Freeholders of the County of Middlesex.” This print expresses support for Wilkes, describing him as the rightful member of Parliament for Middlesex County, as well as a “Friend of Liberty.” Soon after the election, Wilkes was arrested (due to his status as an outlaw) and sent to King’s Bench Prison. According to the authorities, Wilkes did not receive Parliamentary privilege against his arrest because he had never been sworn in. After being reelected and then expelled several times, Parliament eventually declared that Henry Luttrell, Wilkes’ opponent, had won the seat. Despite these setbacks, Wilkes continued his political career, becoming an Alderman of London in 1769 (while still in prison), Lord Mayor of London in 1774, and MP for Middlesex in 1774.

The print is based off a 1768 portrait painting of Wilkes by Robert Edge Pine. Pine was a supporter of Wilkes and American republicanism, which Wilkes also supported. At the end of his life, Pine moved to the United States. In the early 1760s, when Wilkes first gained prominence as a politician critical of the ministry, Matthew and Mary Darly, the print’s publishers, supported Wilkes. The Darlys published many Wilkite political satires that criticized “jackboot” or Wilkes’ political enemy, Lord Bute. With pro-Wilkes sentiments growing in the later 1760s, the Darlys revived their publishing of pro-Wilkes prints. The draughtsman of the mezzotint is listed as “Kitcheman.” Other versions of this print are labeled as “Kitchemer” or "Kitchermer." This draughtsman has not been identified and is potentially a fictious name. Wilkes’ features are more cartoonish in this mezzotint, particularly his larger eyes, which emphasize the politician’s signature squint, instead of hiding it away, as Pine’s portrait attempted to do.
ProvenanceBefore 1975, The Old Print Gallery (Washington, DC); purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA), 1975-present.