Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.13585

    Sculpture bust of Charles II

    Date
    1780
    Sitter
    Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)
    Creator
    Joseph Nollekens (1737 - 1823, British) , Sculptor
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (sculpture): 609mm
    width (sculpture): 547mm
    depth (sculpture): 270mm
    height (socle): 160mm
    width (socle): 209mm
    depth (socle): 20.9mm
    height (pedestal): 80mm
    width (pedestal): 208mm
    depth (pedestal): 208mm
    Subject
    Description
    Bust of Charles II with head inclined to the left as viewed and looking away from viewer. Depicted in armour with sash and falling collar, and wearing the badge of St George. On a round marble socle upon a square marble pedestal.

    Inscription on pedestal, ‘Nollekens Ft; A. MDCCLXXX' left hand side as vied and 'CAROLUS. II. FUNDATOR.' facing.

    Charles II, King of Great Britain and Ireland (1630-1686) was Royal patron and founder of the Royal Society.
    Object history
    Provenance: Commissioned by the Council of the Royal Society, 1779.

    The commission is recorded in the Royal Society’s Minutes of Council, ‘That is is proper to procure a new bust of the founder similar to that of the patron [George III], & that Mr Grevile be desired to make enquiries concerning the expense attending it, and the proposed [?] person to be employed in making it.’ CMO/7/13 page 27, 17 June 1779. A further entry details the appointment of the artist ‘Mr Grevile having informed the council that Mr Nollekens demands seventy guinea [?] for executing a bust of King Charles the Second. Ordered that Mr Nollekens be directed to execute this Bust and that he take the necessary directions from Mr Grevile and Sir Wm Musgrave.’ CMO/7/15, page 30, 29 July 1779.
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