print
- Museum number
- 1902,1011.6639
- Title
- Object: John Sheppard
- Description
-
Portrait seated three-quarter length in prison cell with hands in chains, head turned to right, towards window; wearing plain coat and necktie, his hair cut short; lettered state before Latin verses. c.1724
Mezzotint
- Production date
- 1724
- Dimensions
-
Height: 364 millimetres
-
Width: 251 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Information from Richard Stephens, taken from the Burney Newspapers online:
The 'Weekly Journal of 12 December 1724 advertised this print: 'This Day is published, A Print in Mezzotinto, of JOHN SHEPPARD, after the Original, taken by Sir James Thornhill. Done by G.White, and sold by T.Bowles in St.Paul's Church-Yard, J.Bowles against Stocks-Market, George White in Hart-Street, between the Church and Bloomsbury-Market, and the Printsellers of London and Westminster. Price 1s.' (information from Richard Stephens).
Thornhill visited Sheppard at Newgate in November 1724 (Weekly Journal, 14 November 1724). The British Journal of 28 November 1724 published a verse:
'To Sir James Thornhill, on his Picture of John Sheppard
Sheppard is now secur'd at last:
Thornhill has fix'd the Felon fast.
Oft tho' he loos'd himself before,
The slippery Rogue escapes no more.
Thornhill, 'tis thine to gild with Fame
Th'obscure, and raise the humble Name,
To make the Form elude the Grave,
And Sheppard from Oblivion save.
Tho' Life in vain the Wretch implores
An Exile on the farthest Shores,
Thy Pencil brings a kind Reprieve,
And bids the dying Robber live.
This Piece to latest Time shall stand,
And shew the Wonders of thy Hand.
Thus former Masters grac'd their Name,
And gave egregious Robbers Fame.
Apelles Alexander drew,
Cesar is to Arellius due,
Cromwell in Lely's Work doth shine,
And Sheppard, Thornhill, lives in thine.
Thous, that to Churches dost impart,
And Hospitals, thy matchless Art;
Let Prisons too thy Bounty share,
And Newgate boast thy Sheppard there.
Still to behold him Crowds shall sue:
But hide from Homicides the View,
Lest fired by his daring Soul,
They loose their Chains, and break the Gaol.'
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1902
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1902,1011.6639