Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.8493
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Death mask of Isaac Newton
Date
1727
Creator
Michael Rysbrack (Flemish) , Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Subject
Content object
Description
Death mask of Isaac Newton in left [as viewed] profile. With eyes and mouth closed, and chips along the outer edge, particularly in the top corner.
Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) British natural philosopher and mathematician, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1672 and served as President from 1703 to 1727.
Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) British natural philosopher and mathematician, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1672 and served as President from 1703 to 1727.
Object history
Presented to the Society in 1839 by Samuel Hunter Christie (1784-1865) FRS. ["History of the Royal Society" by C R Weld, 1848, Volume IV, pages 446/7.]
This death mask is one of several prepared shortly after Newton’s death, likely by the artist Michael Rysbrack. Rysbrack used the likeness to sculpt Newton’s features in marble for his tomb at Westminster Abbey. This mask was owned by the 18th century French sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac, who carved a marble bust of Newton (now at Trinity College Cambridge).
This death mask is one of several prepared shortly after Newton’s death, likely by the artist Michael Rysbrack. Rysbrack used the likeness to sculpt Newton’s features in marble for his tomb at Westminster Abbey. This mask was owned by the 18th century French sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac, who carved a marble bust of Newton (now at Trinity College Cambridge).
Associated place