Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9257
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Portrait of Benjamin Thompson
Date
ca. 1800
Sitter
Count Rumford Benjamin Thompson (1753 - 1814, British) , Physicist
Creator
John Raphael Smith (1751 - 1812, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 535mm
width (painting): 430mm
width (painting): 430mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Thompson is seated in a red high-backed armchair. Behind him are volumes hidden by a red curtain and in front a green baize covered table on which stands a set of silver inkwells and paper. He is dressed in grey breeches, white waistcoat and neck-cloth and black coat. Thompson wears a blue sash and a just-visible decoration. The portrait is three-quarter length. The subject leans his head against his right hand, index finger to his temple.
Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1779.
Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1779.
Transcription
“7010”
Object history
Royal Society Council Minutes for 1917 give a brief account: “It was agreed that a painting of Count Rumford, by John Raphael Smith, offered for purchase by the Society by Messrs. Leggatt, by purchased for 20 guineas; and that the thanks of the Society be sent to Messrs Leggatt for bringing the portrait to their notice”. [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, 1914-20, 30 November 1917, p.261].
Associated place