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Primary sourcePainting20 April 1793

Thomas Paine

William Sharp · 20 April 1793

An engraved print of Thomas Paine made in 1793, based on a lost portrait by George Romney, widely circulated during the controversy over his book Rights of Man.

This widely circulated print spread Paine's image to the public during the heated debate over his book Rights of Man.

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Engraved portrait print of a man with wavy hair, a high white cravat, and a dark coat, seated near a draped document. Printed title below reads Thomas Paine; publication line reads London, W. Sharp, April 20, 1793.
William Sharp, after George Romney, Thomas Paine, 1793. Yale Center for British Art.

About this source

What it is

This is an engraving of Thomas Paine made by William Sharp in 1793, after a portrait painted by George Romney that no longer survives. It is held by the Yale Center for British Art.

Why it matters

This image became the most widely reproduced picture of Paine at a moment when his book Rights of Man was provoking fierce debate in Britain. It shows how prints could spread a public figure's image—and reputation—far beyond those who ever met him, connecting Sharp the engraver, Romney the original painter, and Paine himself.

Look closer

  • Why might an engraving based on a now-lost painting be an important historical record?
  • What does the draped document beside Paine suggest about how he wanted to be portrayed?
  • Why do you think this image was reproduced so widely during a political controversy?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Paine on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Paine sources

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Title page of the 1776 Philadelphia pamphlet Common Sense, addressed to the Inhabitants of America, printed by R. Bell in Third Street. Handwritten annotations include a name in the top corner and Thomas Paine's name near the bottom.Book

Primary source

Common Sense

Thomas Paine · 10 January 1776

Photograph of the first page of a printed 1776 pamphlet titled The American Crisis, Number I, by Thomas Paine, with handwritten annotations at the top reading 'by Thomas Paine' and 'published in the Penn. Journal' and 'June 1776'. The printed text begins 'These are the times that try men's souls.'Book

Primary source

The American Crisis

Thomas Paine · 1776-1783

Title page of Rights of Man, reading 'Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution, by Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and Author of the Work Intitled Common Sense. London: Printed for J. S. Jordan, No. 166, Fleet-Street. MDCCXCI.' Handwritten ink marks appear in the upper right corner.Book

Primary source

Rights of Man

Thomas Paine · 1791-1792

Title page of The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine. Text reads: 'The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology. By Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and author of the works entitled Common Sense, and Rights of Man, &c. Paris: Printed by Barrois. London: Sold by D. I. Eaton, at the Cock and Swine, No. 74, Newgate-street. 1794. Price two shillings.'Book

Primary source

The Age of Reason

Thomas Paine · 1794-1807

Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

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