John Wilmot (1647-80) 2nd Earl of Rochester, c.1665-70 (oil on canvas)

English poet and courtier of King Charles II. Restoration court. Best known work "A Satyr Against Reason and Mankind". A member of the most dissolute and licentious court circles, Rochester with his ready wit alternately fascinated and enraged Charles II, who dismissed him from court at least once a year, but always had him immediately recalled. As a poet his name is chiefly associated with a number of obscene and pornographic works, but he was also a satirist and lyricist of genius. This portrait portrays him, manuscript in hand, bestowing the poet's laurels on a jabbering monkey who is tearing out the pages of a book and handing them crumpled to the poet.