Wesley ceramic picture

This commemorative plaque or picture was produced following John Wesley’s death in 1791.

It’s black and white style reflects its memorial purpose. In the style of a frame picture, the transferred decoration depicts an engraving of John Wesley in old age, set within an oval mount and records his age as 87.

The engraved image is based on a miniature painting of Wesley on ivory which is at the Museum of Methodism at City Road, London.

Wesley’s great age had helped to give him a celebrity status in his latter years. Many such commemorative items were produced.

Find out more about the public reaction to Wesley’s death by listening to John Walsh here.

This item is part of the Methodist Collection at Lincoln College, Oxford.