Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9550
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Portrait of Thomas Hobbes
Date
ca.1661
Sitter
Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679, British) , Philosopher
Creator
Jan Baptist Jaspers (1615 - 1691, Flemish) , Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 750mm
width (painting): 628mm
width (painting): 628mm
Subject
Description
Half length portrait within a painted oval, looking directly to the viewer. Hobbes is shown in a black robe with a white squared collar. He has shoulder length grey hair and a small moustache and beard.
Transcription
THOMAS HOBBS MALMESBUVE
Hobbs
Royal Society proprietors
THOMAS HOBBES of Malmesbury. (Aetat: 75.) by J.B. CASPARS (CASPERS)
Hobbs
Royal Society proprietors
THOMAS HOBBES of Malmesbury. (Aetat: 75.) by J.B. CASPARS (CASPERS)
Object history
Presented by John Aubrey.
A letter in the Society’s collection notes Hobbes sitting for a portrait, encouraged by John Aubrey (1626-1697): “Sr. You have donne me so much honour in your acquaintance, and civilities that I want language to expresse my thankfulnesse: among other favours I particularly return you my hearty thanks for the trouble I gave you to sitt for your Picture, wch. is an honor I am not worthy of...but I assure you no man living now prizes it, not hath greater Devotion for You...” [Royal Society manuscript MS/849/2, pp.246-247 J Aubrey to T Hobbes, 30 August 1661].
Noted in early Royal Society portrait catalogues as being “After Dobson”. The attribution to Jaspars appears in the 1931 listing and as a donation by Aubrey in 1670. [The Royal Society catalogue of portraits, June 1931, p.6].
A letter in the Society’s collection notes Hobbes sitting for a portrait, encouraged by John Aubrey (1626-1697): “Sr. You have donne me so much honour in your acquaintance, and civilities that I want language to expresse my thankfulnesse: among other favours I particularly return you my hearty thanks for the trouble I gave you to sitt for your Picture, wch. is an honor I am not worthy of...but I assure you no man living now prizes it, not hath greater Devotion for You...” [Royal Society manuscript MS/849/2, pp.246-247 J Aubrey to T Hobbes, 30 August 1661].
Noted in early Royal Society portrait catalogues as being “After Dobson”. The attribution to Jaspars appears in the 1931 listing and as a donation by Aubrey in 1670. [The Royal Society catalogue of portraits, June 1931, p.6].
Associated place