Credit: ©The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9620
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Portrait of David Gill
Date
1912
Sitter
David Gill (1843 - 1914, British) , Astronomer
Creator
George Henry (1858 - 1943, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1273mm
width (painting): 1021mm
width (painting): 1021mm
Subject
Description
Half length portrait of Sir David Gill, seated, bearded and dressed in a black suit with a spotted waistcoat, white high collared shirt and grey tie. His right arm rests on a table with outspread papers. Behind his right elbow is a small collection of upright books.
Sir David Gill was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1883.
Sir David Gill was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1883.
Transcription
GEORGE HENRY 1912
101
SIR DAVID GILL, K.C.B., F.R.S. &c &c B.1843 D.1914 H.M. Astronomer at Cape of Good Hope. 1879-1907 Painted by George Henry A.R.A
101
SIR DAVID GILL, K.C.B., F.R.S. &c &c B.1843 D.1914 H.M. Astronomer at Cape of Good Hope. 1879-1907 Painted by George Henry A.R.A
Object history
Presented by Lady Isobel Sara Gill (1849-1919), 1914.
The presentation is noted in Council Minutes: “Read a letter from Mr.Henry Hall stating that Lady Gill wished to present to the Society a portrait of Sir David Gill, painted by Mr.George Henry A.R.A. Resolved – that the portrait be accepted... “ [Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, vol.10 1908-1914, p.414, meeting of 26 February 1914].
Correspondence surrounding the donation has been preserved in the Society’s archives.There was some confusion over the ownership of the work (whether Gill’s or the artist’s) which was solved by Lady Gill: “She has been in communication with Mr. George Henry the artist, who informs her that the portrait was painted by him as a labour of love and was intended to be a present to Sir David or Lady Gill. This being so, the portrait is at Lady Gill’s disposal...” [Royal Society Miscellaneous Correspondence: MC/14049; MC/14103-14105].
The presentation is noted in Council Minutes: “Read a letter from Mr.Henry Hall stating that Lady Gill wished to present to the Society a portrait of Sir David Gill, painted by Mr.George Henry A.R.A. Resolved – that the portrait be accepted... “ [Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, vol.10 1908-1914, p.414, meeting of 26 February 1914].
Correspondence surrounding the donation has been preserved in the Society’s archives.There was some confusion over the ownership of the work (whether Gill’s or the artist’s) which was solved by Lady Gill: “She has been in communication with Mr. George Henry the artist, who informs her that the portrait was painted by him as a labour of love and was intended to be a present to Sir David or Lady Gill. This being so, the portrait is at Lady Gill’s disposal...” [Royal Society Miscellaneous Correspondence: MC/14049; MC/14103-14105].
Associated place