Portrait of William Wilberforce at the age of 29 in June 1789. Oil on canvas. By John Rising. Wilberforce House, Hull City Museums and Art Galleries, UK / Bridgeman Art Library.

In this idealized portrait, the young statesman appears to be hard at work amidst his papers. Wilberforce was to lead the abolitionist struggle for almost half a century, until his death in 1833.