File:Portrait of Joseph Wilcocks (1673-1756) (by John Smart).jpg

English: John Smart

Portrait of Joseph Wilcocks (1673-1756)

signed with initials c.l.: JS / 1779

4.8 by 3.9 cm.; 1 7/8 by 1 9/16 in.

wearing a white surplice, black gown with white tabs, and the badge of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, gold frame, blue glass reverse

Joseph Wilcocks was the son of a physician from Bristol. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford where he became a Doctor of Divinity in 1709. After graduating, he travelled to Portugal where he became chaplain to the English factory in Lisbon and to the English embassy. On his return to England he was appointed chaplain-in-ordinary to George I and preceptor to the daughters of the Prince of Wales. In 1721 he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester and in 1731 he was installed as Dean of Westminster. On the same day he was also nominated Bishop of Rochester. He was a conscientious diocesan, who refused further promotion, even declining the Archbishopric of York.

John Smart's portrait, painted 23 years after the sitter's death, was probably a copy taken after a painting by Enoch Seeman. This portrait was engraved by John Simon in 1721. It was re-issued in 1731 showing Wilcocks with the Order of the Bath, a dignity he received that year upon his appointment as Dean of Westminster (see N.P.G. D83248, D4788)