Victoria, 1837-1901. Silver Medal 1861, 89.68 g. David Wilkie, Art Union of London, Laudatory medal. By L. Wyon. Bust, draped. SIR DAVID WILKIE R . A. Rv. A detail from Wilkie's painting The Village Politicians. In exergue: ART-UNION OF LONDON 1861. Plain edge. 55 mm. Eimer 1549. BHM 2704. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

Purchased from Spink Numismatic Circular, London, June 2001, lot CM0155.

Sir David Wilkie (18 November 1785 - 1 June 1841) was a Scottish painter, especially known for his genre scenes. He painted successfully in a wide variety of genres, including historical scenes, portraits, including formal royal ones, and scenes from his travels to Europe and the Middle East.

His main base was in London, but he died and was buried at sea, off Gibraltar, returning from his first trip to the Middle East. He was sometimes known as the "people's painter". A list of the exceptionally numerous and excellent engravings from his pictures will be found in "The Art Union - the most important British 19th-century magazine on art - for January 1840".