Joseph Addison (1672-1719) writer and politician (identity doubtful)

18th century unknown

Oil on canvas

1700-1710

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Downing Street

    This portrait depicts the essayist and politician Joseph Addison. The frame indicates that the painting is by Sir Godfrey Kneller, however it is now considered to be by a follower or studio assistant of Kneller. Also, labels and inscriptions on the back of the work indicate that it has formerly been wrongly known as as a portrait of the 'Bishop of Rochester', 'Earl Rochester' and 'Lord Rochester'.

    Joseph Addison was educated at Charterhouse School, London, and Queen’s College, Oxford. He travelled widely at the Government’s expense in preparation for a diplomatic career. He was appointed a Commissioner of Appeal in Excise on condition that he wrote a poem to celebrate the battle of Blenheim. Addison wrote ‘The Campaign, a Poem, to His Grace the Duke of Marlborough’ (published 1704), for which he was praised from all quarters. In 1710, he started the ‘Whig Examiner’ and, at about the same time, began contributing to Richard Steele’s ‘Tatler’. Addison was a Member of Parliament from 1708 to his death, initially for Lostwithiel in Cornwall and then for Malmesbury in Wiltshire. His political career culminated in his appointment as Secretary of State in 1717. His tragedy Cato, produced in 1713 when political excitement ran high, was popular principally because it was interpreted as a defence of the Whigs.

  • Explore
    People
    Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)
    Places
    Subjects
    essayist, poet, male portrait, man, 18th century costume, coat, wig, Member of Parliament, dean
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    18th century unknown
    Title
    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) writer and politician (identity doubtful)
    Date
    1700-1710
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 75.50 cm, width: 63.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from H F Collins & Co. Ltd, October 1975
    Provenance
    With H. F. Collins & Co.; from whom purchased by G. Dupont on behalf of the Department for the Environment in October 1975
    GAC number
    12056