Lot 788
William Hogarth. Print of "John Wilke's Esqr." A Choice Proof Impression, 14 x 9 in. plate; 24 x 19 in. including the wide margins. The uncolored etching is titled "John Wilke's Esqr." This is an undated, later printing from the original plate, the original being "Drawn from the Life and Etch'd in Aquafortis by Willm. Hogarth/ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament May ye 16. 1763." A few minor stains in the extreme margin and some minor foxing do not affect the image. Wilkes was a member of the British Parliament who published an opposition newspaper, "The North Briton," and pushed the boundaries of freedom of speech in Great Britain. In the etching, Wilkes holds a pole with a "Liberty" bell, and two important issues of his paper lie on a table beside him. In No. 45, Wilkes had accused George III of lying about the treaty which ended the Seven Years War, prompting Wilkes' arrest and his being charged with seditious libel. When the judge ruled that members of Parliament could not be charged with libel, the cry of "Wilkes and Liberty!" erupted in Britain and crossed the ocean to America. Wilkes was a hero to Americans; they closely followed his pronouncements in his newspaper, his exile to France, his subsequent return and election to Parliament, his expulsion by George III and the London riots which followed--all of his trials and tribulations with the British government. Wilkes stiffened the backbone of American resistance to British demands. William Hogarth was a well-known English painter and engraver, who is chiefly remembered as a creator of satirical narrative pictures, such as this etching of John Wilkes.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000.
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