The artwork titled “John Wilkes,” created in 1763 by the artist William Hogarth, belongs to the Rococo art movement and is classified within the genre of caricature.
In the artwork, a man is seated on a finely crafted chair, exuding a sense of relaxation and nonchalance. His pose is slightly slouched, with one leg bent and the other extended. He is adorned in 18th-century attire, consisting of a buttoned coat and breeches, complemented by stockings and buckle shoes. The man holds a significant object, a staff with a large cap perched on top, inscribed with the word “LIBERTY,” suggesting its symbolic importance. His facial expression is one of wry amusement, adding to the satirical tone of the piece. Behind him, a wooden table is cluttered with papers and pamphlets, labeled with the words “NORTH BRITON,” indicative of periodical publications from that era. The meticulous lines and shading employed in the engraving technique provide a detailed and textured appearance, characteristic of Hogarth’s style. The overall composition of the artwork conveys a sense of irony and critique, emblematic of the caricature genre in the Rococo period.
