Portrait of Sir William Crookes
Date
1911
Sitter
William Crookes (1832-1919, British), Chemist
Creator
Edward Arthur Walton (1860-1922, British), Painter
Object type
Material
Dimensions
height (framed canvas): 1210mm
width (framed canvas): 960mm
width (framed canvas): 960mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Crookes is posed seated in high-backed chair, half-length, holding what may be an early form of cathode ray tube in his left hand. The subject is shown half-face. Behind, in a freely painted backdrop to the main subject, are a diamond-vane radiometer upper right and a bookcase in the lower left of the painting. Crookes bearded and dressed formally, dark suit and wing collar, with a watch chain visible at the waistcoat.
Sir William was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1863, he served as its President from 1913-1915.
Sir William was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1863, he served as its President from 1913-1915.
Object history
Under ‘Benefactions received…1911’, the Society’s Yearbook briefly noted “Portrait of Sir W. Crookes, O.M., For.Sec.R.S. From a Committee of Subscribers.” [Yearbook of the Royal Society of London. 1912. (Royal Society, London, 1912) p.190. ]