Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1724
John Sheppard
George White's mezzotint is based on James Thornhill's drawing of John 'Jack' Sheppard, also in the Museum's collection. Sheppard is shown manacled in the condemned cell at Newgate Prison.
Sheppard entered London folklore owing to his prison-breaking exploits: he broke out of gaol four times, twice from Newgate. Due to his notoriety, his gaolers began to charge the public admission to see him. Thornhill paid one shilling and sixpence to visit the condemned cell, where he made this sketch.
Sheppard was hanged at Tyburn on 16 November 1724. By the time of his death, his escapades had earned him celebrity status among Londoners and he inspired popular plays, prints and ballads.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- A9296
- Object name:
- John Sheppard
- Artist/Maker:
- Thornhill, James, White, George
- Related people:
- Related events:
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- Related places:
- —
- Production date:
- 1724
- Material:
- paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 355 mm, W 250 mm (paper)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.