Art Funded by you

Portrait of John Dryden

John Michael Wright, c. 1668

This hitherto unknown work depicts John Dryden (1631 – 1700), one of the great figures in the history of English literature and a welcome addition to the gallery's collection of Restoration period portraiture. Well-known by his contemporaries as a playwright, his plays are now largely neglected and he is most admired for his topical satirical poetry, including Absalom and Achitophel, and his translations of classical texts. Wright shows Dryden at the height of his literary career, at the time of his appointment as Poet Laureate in 1668. The laurel wreath around the portrait and the Latin inscriptions referring to the wreathing of poets with laurels or ivy suggest the close involvement of the sitter with the artist.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Portrait of John Dryden, c. 1668

Date supported

2008

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

76.8 x 63.5 cm

Grant

45000

Total cost

225000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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