John Milton, Age 21 1747

This engraving of John Milton at 21 was created by George Vertue, an English engraver, in 1751. Milton’s radical republicanism, along with his epic poetry, made him a figure of great cultural significance in the 18th century. This image reinforces the authority of Milton's place in the canon of great poets. He is framed in an oval portrait, a convention that evokes classical sculpture. The laurel wreath crowning the bust on the right symbolizes poetic achievement. The inscription below compares Milton to Homer and Virgil. The phrase "Aetatis XXI," inscribed on the plaque, claims the authority of youthful genius. This engraving tells us less about the real Milton than about the way 18th-century British culture sought to create its own cultural heroes. We can research further by exploring the writings of Milton and his contemporaries, as well as considering the institutions that shaped Vertue's career as an engraver. In this way, we can understand the cultural forces that shaped the making and reception of this image.