Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9277
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Portrait of Baron Kelvin of Largs, William Thomson
Date
1899
Sitter
William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs (1824 - 1907, British) , Physicist
Creator
William Quiller Orchardson (1832 - 1910, British) , Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1004mm
width (painting): 915mm
width (painting): 915mm
Subject
Description
Kelvin is shown seated, three-quarter length, full face holding a characteristic blue notebook in his left hand. Dressed in an open black jacket and waistcoat exposing a watch-chain. With grey trousers and wearing a red tie. A wooden turned arm of the chair is visible at the sitter’s left hand and a red seat cover.
The painting is noted an article by Kenneth Romney Towndrow (1900-1953): “The tonal unity Orchardson perfected by his method of painting into a yellow ground has a refinement apt to invite oversight; as, also, do his small figure compositions. This should not prevent our appreciation of such a concentration of character as in the Society’s Lord Kelvin, with hands of a sensitive refinement in painting worthy of the most respectful study”. [K.R. Towndrow, “Towards a revaluation of Victorian painting”, The Studio, April 1953, pp.115-126. RS copy in Press Cuttings vol Aug 1952-May1953].
William Thomson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1851, he served as its President from 1890 to 1895.
The painting is noted an article by Kenneth Romney Towndrow (1900-1953): “The tonal unity Orchardson perfected by his method of painting into a yellow ground has a refinement apt to invite oversight; as, also, do his small figure compositions. This should not prevent our appreciation of such a concentration of character as in the Society’s Lord Kelvin, with hands of a sensitive refinement in painting worthy of the most respectful study”. [K.R. Towndrow, “Towards a revaluation of Victorian painting”, The Studio, April 1953, pp.115-126. RS copy in Press Cuttings vol Aug 1952-May1953].
William Thomson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1851, he served as its President from 1890 to 1895.
Transcription
WQO 99
The Scottish Arts Council Exhibition – Sir W.Q.Orchardson Artist Cat. no. & title – 65 William Thomson, Lord Kelvin PC OM GCVO FRS DCL...
British Council – Fine Art Section Empire Exhibition – Johannesburg...”
Room 16
LORD KELVIN, Pres.R.S. by SIR W.Q. ORCHARDSON, R.A
The Scottish Arts Council Exhibition – Sir W.Q.Orchardson Artist Cat. no. & title – 65 William Thomson, Lord Kelvin PC OM GCVO FRS DCL...
British Council – Fine Art Section Empire Exhibition – Johannesburg...”
Room 16
LORD KELVIN, Pres.R.S. by SIR W.Q. ORCHARDSON, R.A
Object history
Letters within the Royal Society’s T E Thorpe correspondence indicate that subscribers included Sir William Crookes (1832-1919) and Thomas Edward Thorpe (1845-1925). Two letters by Orchardson comment upon the commencement of sitting, the cost of the portrait (500 guineas) and its exhibition at the Society and the Royal Academy. [Royal Society MS/373/34-35, W.Q.Orchardson-T.E.Thorpe, 14 March 1899 and n.d.].
Royal Society Council minutes record: “Read a letter from Dr. T.E.Thorpe, offering on behalf of a number of Fellows, for the acceptance of the Society, a portrait in oils of Lord Kelvin, by Mr. W.Q.Orchardson R.A. Resolved – That the portrait be accepted…” [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, vol.8 1898-1903, 16 February 1899, p.19].
Royal Society Council minutes record: “Read a letter from Dr. T.E.Thorpe, offering on behalf of a number of Fellows, for the acceptance of the Society, a portrait in oils of Lord Kelvin, by Mr. W.Q.Orchardson R.A. Resolved – That the portrait be accepted…” [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, vol.8 1898-1903, 16 February 1899, p.19].
Associated place