Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9278
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Portrait of Marcello Malpighi
Date
ca. 1681
Sitter
Marcello Malpighi (1628 - 1694, Italian) , Physician
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 740mm
width (painting): 610mm
width (painting): 610mm
Subject
Description
Half-length, head turned slightly to right, shoulder-length dark hair, dark eyes, thin moustache and beard, wearing dark suit with wide white collar bands and white ruff at wrist. The sitter’s right hand can be seen holding a paper.
Marcello Malpighi was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1669.
Marcello Malpighi was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1669.
Transcription
MARCELLO MALPIGHIUS M.D. PROF. ANATOM. BONON. REG. SOC. S.
MARCELLO MALPIGHI , F.R.S. (1626-94) PAINTER UNKNOWN”
MARCELLO MALPIGHI , F.R.S. (1626-94) PAINTER UNKNOWN”
Object history
Donated by sitter, 26 January 1681.
This portrait was solicited by Robert Hooke in a letter to Malpighi in which he stated that the image would be engraved and treasured by the Society. Malpighi’s response also survives (original letters in RS archives) [H.B.Adelmann, The Correspondence of Marcello Malpighi vol. 2 1670-1683 (Cornell University Press: Ithaca and London, 1975), pp.831-833: reprint of letter from Robert Hooke to Malpighi requesting M’s portrait].
The picture was duly received: “Mr Hooke produced the present, which he had received from Signor Malpighi, being several books lately printed in Italy, together with his picture very well painted, as big as the life. [list of titles follows] . . . It was ordered, that a frame should be made for the picture of Signor Malpighi: and a motion being made, that it might be engraven, Mr Hooke was desired to speak with Mr Loggan or Mr Faithorne concerning it”. [Thomas Birch, History of the Royal Society…(London, 1756-57), vol.4. p.67 (26 Jan 1680/81). This was taken from the Society’s manuscript Journal Book account of the meeting, JBO/6/267].
The painting was subsequently engraved: “Mr Hooke gave an account, that he had spoken with Mr Loggan concerning | the ingraving of Signor Malpighi’s picture; and that he had seen it, and was willing to undertake it”. [Ibid., pp.67-8 (2 Feb 1680/81)] and Malpighi was thanked for his gift: “Mr Aston read a letter, which he had written to Signor Malpighi, to return him the Society’s thanks for his picture and present of books.” [Ibid., p.128, 15 Feb 1681/2].
This portrait was solicited by Robert Hooke in a letter to Malpighi in which he stated that the image would be engraved and treasured by the Society. Malpighi’s response also survives (original letters in RS archives) [H.B.Adelmann, The Correspondence of Marcello Malpighi vol. 2 1670-1683 (Cornell University Press: Ithaca and London, 1975), pp.831-833: reprint of letter from Robert Hooke to Malpighi requesting M’s portrait].
The picture was duly received: “Mr Hooke produced the present, which he had received from Signor Malpighi, being several books lately printed in Italy, together with his picture very well painted, as big as the life. [list of titles follows] . . . It was ordered, that a frame should be made for the picture of Signor Malpighi: and a motion being made, that it might be engraven, Mr Hooke was desired to speak with Mr Loggan or Mr Faithorne concerning it”. [Thomas Birch, History of the Royal Society…(London, 1756-57), vol.4. p.67 (26 Jan 1680/81). This was taken from the Society’s manuscript Journal Book account of the meeting, JBO/6/267].
The painting was subsequently engraved: “Mr Hooke gave an account, that he had spoken with Mr Loggan concerning | the ingraving of Signor Malpighi’s picture; and that he had seen it, and was willing to undertake it”. [Ibid., pp.67-8 (2 Feb 1680/81)] and Malpighi was thanked for his gift: “Mr Aston read a letter, which he had written to Signor Malpighi, to return him the Society’s thanks for his picture and present of books.” [Ibid., p.128, 15 Feb 1681/2].
Associated place