Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.17135

    Engraving of Charles II and the Royal Society, frontispiece of Sprat

    Date
    1667
    Sitter
    Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)
    Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626, British) , Natural philosopher
    William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker of Lyons (1620 - 1684, British) , Mathematician
    Creator
    Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677, Bohemian) , Draughtsman
    After
    John Evelyn (1620 - 1706, British) , Diarist
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Manuscript page number
    v3 p167
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (page): 654mm
    width (page): 485mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    This engraved print is the frontispiece to Thomas Sprat's History of the Royal Society (1667). The frontispiece was designed by John Evelyn and etched by Wenceslaus Hollar. This image depicts many of the important figures and objects of the early Royal Society. In the foreground, a bust of Charles II is crowned by Fame, with Francis Bacon and Viscount Brouncker, the first president of the Royal Society, sitting to either side. In the background are numerous instruments and pieces of equipment used by the Fellows, and the Society's coat of arms hangs above the scene.

    From a set of albums known as Collectanea Newtoniana, a selection of prints, original artwork and manuscripts relating to Newton, collected by Charles Turnor (1768-1853). Turnor was an astronomer, collector and Fellow of the Royal Society. He owned Woolsthorpe Manor (Newton’s birthplace).
    Related fellows
    Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
    Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)
    Thomas Sprat (1635 - 1713, British) , Clergyman
    Associated place
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