Portrait of Andrew Huxley
Date
1985
Sitter
Andrew Fielding Huxley (1917 - 2012, British) , Physiologist
Creator
Michael Noakes (1933, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1027mm
width (painting): 775mm
width (painting): 775mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Half-length portrait of Sir Andrew Huxley, posed in the President’s Office at the Royal Society’s headquarters at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace. Behind is a bookcase against which leans a framed print after the 1883 portrait by John Collier [NPG 3168]. In front of this is a 19th century family microscope. Andrew Huxley is shown with his left hand resting upon the flat surface in front of the microscope and holds a blue biro pen in his right hand. He wears spectacles, a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie and is shown smiling gently.
Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1955, he served as its President from 1980 to 1985.
Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1955, he served as its President from 1980 to 1985.
Transcription
Michael Noakes 1985
SIR ANDREW HUXLEY, O.M. President 1980-85. By Michael Noakes.
SIR ANDREW HUXLEY, O.M. President 1980-85. By Michael Noakes.
Object history
Commissioned by the Royal Society, 1985.
The commissioning process began in March 1984, towards the end of Huxley’s term of office at the Royal Society. Michael Noakes was first approached in January 1985, to see if he would be available for sittings from July of that year. [Letter, Dr R.W.J.Keay to Michael Noakes, 17 January 1985, in Royal Society provenance file, originally LIB.26/NHR/JMW]. By 19 April he had been offered and had accepted the commission. [Letter, Michael Noakes to Dr R.W.J Keay, 19 April 1985, in Royal Society provenance file]. Sittings commenced on 4 June and the work was completed by November 1985, in time for unveiling at the Society’s Anniversary Day. [Letters and notes associated with the progress of the painting appear within Royal Society provenance file].
The commissioning process began in March 1984, towards the end of Huxley’s term of office at the Royal Society. Michael Noakes was first approached in January 1985, to see if he would be available for sittings from July of that year. [Letter, Dr R.W.J.Keay to Michael Noakes, 17 January 1985, in Royal Society provenance file, originally LIB.26/NHR/JMW]. By 19 April he had been offered and had accepted the commission. [Letter, Michael Noakes to Dr R.W.J Keay, 19 April 1985, in Royal Society provenance file]. Sittings commenced on 4 June and the work was completed by November 1985, in time for unveiling at the Society’s Anniversary Day. [Letters and notes associated with the progress of the painting appear within Royal Society provenance file].
Associated place