Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9408
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Portrait of Isaac Newton
Date
1727
Sitter
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
Creator
John Faber (1694 - 1756, Dutch) , Artist
After
John Vanderbank (1694 - 1739, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 248mm
width (print): 254mm
width (print): 254mm
Subject
Description
Three-quarter length portrait of the 84-year old Newton, seated in a high-backed chair, looking away from a book held upon his knee in a reading position. Inscribed: "Isaacus Newton Equs. Obijt 20 Mar: 1726/27 Aetatis Suae 85. J Vanderbank pinx Ano. 1726. Pro MARTINO FOLKES Armo. Cui hanc Tabulam D.D. J.Faber." An ouroboros [a snake holding its own tail in its mouth] can be seen to the right of the picture. From an original portrait at the Royal Society.
Sir Isaac Newton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1672, he served as its President from 1703 to 1727.
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.
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