Portrait of Alan Hodgkin
Date
1975
Sitter
Alan Lloyd Hodgkin (1914 - 1998, British) , Physiologist
Creator
Derek Hill (1916 - 2000, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1220mm
width (painting): 1020mm
width (painting): 1020mm
Subject
Description
This freely-painted portrait shows Hodgkin at half-length, facing the viewer, seated at a desk in his Cambridge home. He wears a blue suit, white shirt and green patterned tie. Hodgkin’s right hand rests on one of two open books on the desk. Behind the sitter are a cushioned armchair, bookcase and open door.
Alan Hodgkin was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1948, he served as its President from 1970 to 1975.
Alan Hodgkin was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1948, he served as its President from 1970 to 1975.
Transcription
DH
SIR ALAN HODGKIN President_1970-75 by DEREK HILL
SIR ALAN HODGKIN President_1970-75 by DEREK HILL
Object history
Commissioned by the Royal Society.
The picture was commissioned on the approval of Council [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, vol.25 1973-1976, p.258, meeting of 10 October 1974, minute 26] for 1600 guineas at the recommendation of the Society’s Library Committee and particularly its Chairman, Eric J Denton FRS. Hodgkin admired Hill’s portrait of Prince Charles. Artist and subject viewed existing portraits at the Royal Society on 22 November 1974 and sittings commenced in December. By 21 January 1975 the work was complete and ready for framing. It was not unveiled until the Anniversary Meeting of 1 December 1975.
The picture was commissioned on the approval of Council [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, vol.25 1973-1976, p.258, meeting of 10 October 1974, minute 26] for 1600 guineas at the recommendation of the Society’s Library Committee and particularly its Chairman, Eric J Denton FRS. Hodgkin admired Hill’s portrait of Prince Charles. Artist and subject viewed existing portraits at the Royal Society on 22 November 1974 and sittings commenced in December. By 21 January 1975 the work was complete and ready for framing. It was not unveiled until the Anniversary Meeting of 1 December 1975.
Associated place