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Samuel De Wilde Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Samuel De Wilde our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Samuel De Wilde · 1751 – 1832

Portrait of Charles Macklin (c.1695-1797), Actor

original 40.0 x 30.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$18330 × 40 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Elisabeth Burder

1785 · original 24.5 x 20.3cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Richard Suett And Walter Maddocks In 'all The World's A Stage' By Isaac Jackman

Samuel de Wilde’s ‘All The World’s A Stage’ portrays Richard Suett & Walter Maddocks in a classical portrait brimming with elegance & drama. Oil on canvas, capturing aristocratic leisure & symbolic wealth.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17734 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Bland, Booth, And Bannister In 'the Children In The Wood' By Morton

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

John Fawcett As Jack Nightshade In 'the Choleric Man' By Richard Cumberland

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

John Liston

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

James Neild

Admire 'James Neild' by Samuel De Wilde – a captivating 18th-century portrait showcasing formal attire & dramatic lighting. Explore neoclassical elegance and historical art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Farley As Francisco In 'a Tale Of Mystery' By Thomas Holcroft

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Cat with Her Kittens in a Basket

Samuel de Wilde’s ‘Cat with Her Kittens’ – a stunning 18th-century oil painting of domesticity & warmth. Explore its dramatic lighting, rich textures & symbolic beauty.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Music

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

John Philip Kemble

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Maria Bland as Josephine_2

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Mr Bannister Junior And Mr Parsons As Scout And Sheepface In 'the Village Lawyer'

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Maria Bland as Josephine, Ursula Booth as Winifred and John Bannister as Walter

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Tale of Mystery

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

J. Field As Frank In 'the Three And The Deuce' By Prince Hoare

Admire 'J. Field As Frank In ‘The Three And The Deuce’ by Prince Hoare.' A stunning 18th-century portrait by Samuel de Wilde – a captivating piece of art history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

John Emery As Robert Tyke In 'the School Of Reform' By Thomas Morton

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Mathews As Charles Goldfinch In 'the Road To Ruin' By Thomas Holcroft

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Mr Suett As Dicky Gossip In 'my Grandmother'

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

William Macready

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

William Farren As Lovegold In 'the Miser' By Henry Fielding

Samuel de Wilde’s 'William Farren As Lovegold In ‘the Miser’' – a dramatic 18th-century oil painting capturing intense emotion & classic style. Explore this unique artwork!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Bannister And Suett In 'sylvester Daggerwood'

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Thomas Russell in Samuel Foote's

Samuel de Wilde’s "Thomas Russell in Samuel Foote’s" captures a moment of theatrical anxiety with classical realism & dramatic lighting. Explore this oil painting's rich textures & symbolism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Thomas King as Lord Ogleby

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

William shuttlewood

Discover 'William Shuttlewood' by Samuel de Wilde – a captivating colonial portrait. Explore this exquisite painting’s rich details & historical charm. #art #painting #historicalart

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 54 artworks by Samuel De Wilde
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Samuel De Wilde

1751 – 1832

Quick facts

Typical colorsearthy
Topics exploredmen, famous people, portrait, drama, theater
Died1832
Art periodEarly Modern
Movementsneoclassicism
Color intensitybalanced, monochromatic
Top 3 worksPortrait of Charles Macklin (c.1695-1797), Actor, Portrait of Elisabeth Burder, Richard Suett And Walter Maddocks In 'all The World's A Stage' By Isaac Jackman
Born1751, London, United Kingdom

Biography

The Master of the London Stage: The Life and Legacy of Samuel de Wilde

In the vibrant, gaslit atmosphere of late eighteenth-century London, few artists captured the ephemeral magic of the theatre as vividly as Samuel de Wilde. Born in 1751 to a Dutch father who had settled in the English capital, De Wilde was a man of two worlds, blending Continental precision with the burgeoning dramatic spirit of the British Romantic era. His journey began not with a brush, but with the steady hands of a joiner, having been apprenticed to his godfather, Samuel Haworth. Yet, the call of the fine arts proved irresistible; by 1769, he had transitioned from the workshop to the prestigious Royal Academy Schools, setting the stage for a career that would eventually make him the preeminent chronicler of the Regency era's most beloved performers.

De Wilde’s ascent in the art world was inextricably linked to the golden age of British theatre. His true breakthrough arrived in the early 1790s when he was commissioned by the enterprising publisher John Bell to provide portrait drawings for the British Theatre series. This monumental undertaking, which spanned over one hundred plays, required De Wilde to capture the essence of legendary actors and actresses within a single, evocative frame. As his reputation grew, the studios of Drury Lane became a revolving door for the era's most famous faces, all seeking to immortalize their stage personas through his meticulous hand. His work did not merely record likenesses; it captured the very breath of the performance, the tension of a dramatic monologue, and the glittering allure of the costume.

A Technique of Light and Character

While many of his contemporaries focused on grand historical narratives, De Wilde found his muse in the intimate and the theatrical. His technical repertoire was remarkably versatile, ranging from delicate pencil sketches to sweeping watercolours and robust oil paintings. He possessed a rare ability to manipulate light—often employing a dramatic, almost chiaroscuro-like effect—to highlight the emotional intensity of his subjects. Whether he was depicting William Farren as Lovegold or the spirited presence of John Emery, De Wilde utilized texture and shadow to convey the psychological depth of the characters, bridging the gap between the actor's real identity and their theatrical mask.

His artistic development was marked by a transition from simple portraiture to complex, narrative-driven compositions. His works often appeared in influential publications such as the Monthly Mirror and William Oxberry's New English Drama, ensuring that his vision of the London stage reached far beyond the walls of the Royal Academy. Through these prints and paintings, he helped shape the public's visual perception of celebrity, turning the actors of his day into enduring icons of British culture.

Historical Significance and Enduring Influence

The historical importance of Samuel de Wilde lies in his role as a visual historian of the Georgian and Regency periods. Through his eyes, we witness the evolution of theatrical costume, the changing fashions of London society, and the profound cultural impact of the performing arts during a time of immense social upheaval. His ability to blend classical realism with the emotional resonance of the Romantic movement allowed him to transcend simple documentation, creating works that resonate with a sense of nostalgia and dramatic truth.

Today, the legacy of De Wilde is preserved in some of the world's most esteemed institutions, ensuring that his portraits of the theatrical greats continue to inspire awe. His contributions can be found within the hallowed halls of:

The British Museum, where his detailed etchings and drawings offer a window into the past.
The National Portrait Gallery, London, preserving the faces that defined an era.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, showcasing his mastery of form and texture.
The Art Institute of Chicago, bringing his British theatrical vision to a global audience.

Ultimately, Samuel de Wilde was more than just a portraitist; he was a storyteller who used the medium of paint to capture the fleeting brilliance of the stage, leaving behind a permanent record of the laughter, tears, and triumphs of the London theatre.

Questions & Answers

Where are Samuel De Wilde's artworks mapped by subject?

Samuel De Wilde's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

What are the birth city and country of Samuel De Wilde?

Samuel De Wilde was born in London, in United Kingdom.

Can I study Samuel De Wilde's use of color across all works?

The Palette Genome of Samuel De Wilde is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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All artworks by Samuel De Wilde