Sir David Wilkie

1785–1841

Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Blind Fiddler’ 1806
The Blind Fiddler 1806
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In Tate Britain

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41 artworks by Sir David Wilkie
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Biography

Sir David Wilkie (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) was a British painter, especially known for his genre scenes. He painted successfully in a wide variety of genres, including historical scenes, portraits, including formal royal ones, and scenes from his travels to Europe and the Middle East. His main base was in London, but he died and was buried at sea, off Gibraltar, returning from his first trip to the Middle East. He was sometimes known as the "people's painter".

He was Principal Painter in Ordinary to King William IV and Queen Victoria. Apart from royal portraits, his best-known painting today is probably The Chelsea Pensioners reading the Waterloo Dispatch of 1822 in Apsley House.

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Orientalism Victorian / Genre

Artworks

Left Right
Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Blind Fiddler’ 1806

Sir David Wilkie The Blind Fiddler

1806
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Village Holiday’ 1809–11

Sir David Wilkie The Village Holiday

1809–11
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Sir David Wilkie, ‘His Highness Muhemed Ali, Pacha of Egypt’ 1841

Sir David Wilkie His Highness Muhemed Ali, Pacha of Egypt

1841
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Peep-o’-Day Boys’ Cabin, in the West of Ireland’ 1835–6, exhibited 1836

Sir David Wilkie The Peep-o’-Day Boys’ Cabin, in the West of Ireland

1835–6, exhibited 1836
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Sir David Wilkie, ‘Mrs Elizabeth Young in Eastern Costume’ 1841

Sir David Wilkie Mrs Elizabeth Young in Eastern Costume

1841
Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Preaching of Knox before the Lords of the Congregation, 10th June 1559’ 1832

Sir David Wilkie The Preaching of Knox before the Lords of the Congregation, 10th June 1559

1832

Sir David Wilkie The Lost Receipt

date not known
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Sir David Wilkie, ‘The Flemish Mother’ 1820

Sir David Wilkie The Flemish Mother

1820
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See all 60

Features

Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire ...’ exhibited 1817
Art Term

Genres

Genres are types of painting. These were codified in the seventeenth century as (in descending order of importance) history, portrait ...

Robert Braithwaite Martineau, ‘The Last Day in the Old Home’ 1862
Art Term

Genre painting

The term genre painting refers to paintings which depict scenes of everyday life

Giovanni Battista Lusieri Extensive Landscape on a Road Above the Tiber Valley, North of Rome 1781
Tate Papers

The Roman Campagna Revisited: Art & Environment

Richard Wrigley

Richard Wrigley reconnects the Roman campagna – a landscape endowed with considerable artistic significance – with its troubled history as an all ...

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Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, ‘Dignity and Impudence’ 1839

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William Mulready, ‘The Last In’ 1834–5, exhibited 1835

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Sir Augustus Wall Callcott, ‘Sheerness and the Isle of Sheppey (after J.M.W. Turner)’ c.1807–8

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John Linnell, ‘Kensington Gravel Pits’ 1811–2

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William Etty, ‘Standing Female Nude’ c.1835–40

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Charles Robert Leslie, ‘Lady Jane Grey Prevailed on to Accept the Crown’ exhibited 1827

Charles Robert Leslie

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Henry Wyatt, ‘Vigilance’ 1835, exhibited 1835

Henry Wyatt

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Andrew Geddes, ‘Sir William Allan in Circassian Costume’ 1815

Andrew Geddes

1783–1844
Thomas Sword Good, ‘A Man Reading’ exhibited 1827

Thomas Sword Good

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William Dyce, ‘Pegwell Bay, Kent - a Recollection of October 5th 1858’ ?1858–60

William Dyce

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John Scarlett Davis, ‘Man in a Top Hat’ c.1838

John Scarlett Davis

1804–1845
George Jones, ‘The Burning Fiery Furnace’ exhibited 1832

George Jones

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David Roberts, ‘The Porch of St Maclou, Rouen’ 1829

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Richard Westall, ‘The Reconciliation of Helen and Paris after his Defeat by Menelaus’ exhibited 1805

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Elizabeth Rigby (Lady Eastlake)

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