Dr Johnson (1709–1784), Reading 'The Vicar of Wakefield' by Oliver Goldsmith

Image credit: Dr Johnson's House

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This painting depicts a famous scene from Samuel Johnson's life. Oliver Goldsmith once wrote to his good friend Johnson, asking him to come to his aid. Goldsmith had been arrested by his landlady for non-payment of rent. Johnson hastened over, and Goldsmith told him that he had a novel ready for publication. James Boswell reports that Johnson said that he: 'looked into it, and saw its merit; told the landlady I should soon return, and having gone to a bookseller, sold it for sixty pounds. I brought Goldsmith the money, and he discharged his rent, not without rating his landlady in a high tone for having used him so ill.'

Dr Johnson's House

London

Title

Dr Johnson (1709–1784), Reading 'The Vicar of Wakefield' by Oliver Goldsmith

Date

c.1860

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 110 x W 136 cm

Accession number

168

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

Dr Johnson's House

17 Gough Square, London, Greater London EC4A 3DE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue