Portrait of Joseph Priestley
Date
1860
Sitter
Joseph Priestley (1733 - 1804, British)
Creator - Organisation
Caldesi & Co., Photographer
After
Unknown, Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 315mm
width (print): 260mm
width (print): 260mm
Subject
Description
Photograph of a half-length portrait of a young Joseph Priestley, body turned to the viewer’s right. His right arm rests against a lectern or shelf, this hand holding a small book. Priestley is dressed in a black coat and waistcoat, a white shirt and cravat, and a short grey wig.
Inscribed below: 'JOSEPH PRIESTLEY
AETAT 30.
FROM A PORTRAIT FORMERLY IN THE POSSESION OF William Hudson Esq.re Gildersome near Leeds'
From The Priestley Papers, a volume containing portraits, drawings, letters and other memorials of Joseph Priestley, curated and edited by James Yates.
Written in the associated description: This portrait is carefully painted and well finished. It may be presumed to be a good likeness. The features are the same as in later portraits, allowance being made for advance in age. It has also the same pleasant expression.'
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) British theologian and natural philosopher, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
James Yates (1789-1871) British Unitarian minister and scholar was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. Though he never met Priestley personally, Yates knew many of his relatives, friends and pupils, and spent much of his career documenting his discoveries and writings.
Inscribed below: 'JOSEPH PRIESTLEY
AETAT 30.
FROM A PORTRAIT FORMERLY IN THE POSSESION OF William Hudson Esq.re Gildersome near Leeds'
From The Priestley Papers, a volume containing portraits, drawings, letters and other memorials of Joseph Priestley, curated and edited by James Yates.
Written in the associated description: This portrait is carefully painted and well finished. It may be presumed to be a good likeness. The features are the same as in later portraits, allowance being made for advance in age. It has also the same pleasant expression.'
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) British theologian and natural philosopher, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
James Yates (1789-1871) British Unitarian minister and scholar was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. Though he never met Priestley personally, Yates knew many of his relatives, friends and pupils, and spent much of his career documenting his discoveries and writings.
Object history
During the planning of the new University Museum of Oxford in 1856, it was decided to commission several statues of famous scientists. One of these was to be of Priestley, and James Yates was invited to oversee its conception. In his own words, 'it became necessary to obtain the best portraits, busts and bas-reliefs to assist the sculptor in making a good likeness.' He also acquired reports of personal experiences and anecdotes from people who knew Priestley, and in 1864 assembled all of this material into this volume.
This volume was presented to the Royal Society in 1957 by the Priestley family.
This volume was presented to the Royal Society in 1957 by the Priestley family.
Related fellows
James Yates (1789 - 1871, British) , Minister
Associated place