First Royal Charter of the Royal Society
Date
15 July 1662
Sitter
Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 643mm
width (painting): 868mm
width (painting): 868mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Top left, inside a calligraphic 'C', is a fine ink and wash portrait of Charles II, surrounded by calligraphic flourishes. In the top centre is the royal coat of arms, flanked by a tulip and carnation in ink and wash. The top border further includes drawings of a plant with fruits, flowers and insects. The eagle whose wing spreads beyond the right-hand border is copied from a model book of birds, Diversae avium species (1654), designed by Francis Barlow, etched by Wenceslaus Hollar and issued by Peter Stent. To the sides are acanthus-style scrolls with floral patterns in ink, wash and body colour. At the bottom left, close to the binding, is a signature of the scribe, 'F. B[eale]'.
The total cost of the Royal Patent was £88 18 s. 8d. to the Royal Society (paid between February and August 1662).
The total cost of the Royal Patent was £88 18 s. 8d. to the Royal Society (paid between February and August 1662).
Object history
For the English translation of the Charter, see The Record of the Royal Society of London, 4th edn (London: The Royal Society, 1940), pp. 226-37.
Related fellows
Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)
Associated place