Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.9402
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    Portrait of Isaac Newton

    Date
    1741
    Sitter
    Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
    Creator
    Laurent Cars (1699 - 1771, French) , Engraver
    After
    François Boucher (1703 - 1770, French) , Painter
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 170mm
    width (print): 367mm
    Subject
    Description
    Head and shoulders portrait of Newton contained within a wider allegorical scene, consisting of four animals: a bull, lobster, lion and ram, with two putti resting on a cloudscape. Above, Newton in an oval frame in front of a pyramid, laurels above his head: behind this, zodiacal signs. Inscribed "F.Boucher invenit et delin: Lau: Cars Sculpsit". Pencilled below "Sr. Isc. Newton".

    Sir Isaac Newton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1672, he served as its President from 1703 to 1727.
    Object history
    From "Collectanea Newtoniana", by Charles Turnor, 1837. Collected prints, original artwork and manuscripts relating to Sir Isaac Newton.

    Volume 1 contains portraits of Sir Isaac Newton, notably watercolour copies of several contemporary works. Also, paintings of houses and objects associated with Newton, with genealogical information and biography. Title page: "Collectanea Newtoniana. Being a selection of the most authentic engraved portraits of Sir Isaac Newton Knt., and other eminent Philosophers Mathematicians and Distinguished Men who were connected with, or whose pursuits bore an affinity to those of that illustrious person from the time of Copernicus to the Death of Newton accompanied with a Memoir of each. Collected arranged and compiled by Charles Turnor F.R.A.S. & F.S.A. Predendary of Lincoln. AD MDCCCXXXVII." Collection and supporting text is presented on leaves with decorative borders. Beneath the title page of volume 1 "Arms painted by Thos Dowse, 39 Upper Charlotte St. Fitzroy Square". There is a dedication page [p.4] addressed to the Royal Society and presenting the volumes.
    Associated place
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