Portrait of Robert Robinson
Date
1949-1950
Sitter
Robert Robinson (1886 - 1975, British) , Chemist
Creator
Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1271mm
width (painting): 1017mm
width (painting): 1017mm
Subject
Description
Three-quarter length portrait of Sir Robert Robinson in red academic robes over a black suit, white high collared shirt and grey tie. Robinson is seated and posed looking to the viewer’s right, holding a black bonnet in his left hand.
Robert Robinson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1920, he served as its President from 1945 to 1950.
Robert Robinson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1920, he served as its President from 1945 to 1950.
Transcription
LAWRENCE
Wellcome room Grd
A.K.Lawrence R.A. 30, Holland Park...W 1 50x40 cover 118 Morning delivery
SIR ROBERT ROBINSON President 1945-50 by A.K.Lawrence
Wellcome room Grd
A.K.Lawrence R.A. 30, Holland Park...W 1 50x40 cover 118 Morning delivery
SIR ROBERT ROBINSON President 1945-50 by A.K.Lawrence
Object history
Commissioned by the Royal Society 1949 and received 1950.
The process of artist selection is described in minutes of the Royal Society’s Library Committee from 1948 onward: “Consideration was given to the painting of a portrait of the President. It was suggested that a few members of the Committee should visit the L.C.C. County Hall where portraits of past chairmen are hung, and also the forthcoming summer exhibition of the Royal Academy...” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 10 February 1948, p.264]. By October 1948 it was reported that the Chairman, Treasurer and Biological Secretary had visited the Royal Academy and “That it be a recommendation to Council that the Chairman of the Library Committee should approach A.K. Lawrence and ask him to undertake the portrait...” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 22 October 1948, p.274]. In 1949 “The Chairman reported that A.K. Lawrence had accepted the commission to paint the portrait of the President and that the President had already given a number of sittings.” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 29 June 1949, p.284].
The process of artist selection is described in minutes of the Royal Society’s Library Committee from 1948 onward: “Consideration was given to the painting of a portrait of the President. It was suggested that a few members of the Committee should visit the L.C.C. County Hall where portraits of past chairmen are hung, and also the forthcoming summer exhibition of the Royal Academy...” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 10 February 1948, p.264]. By October 1948 it was reported that the Chairman, Treasurer and Biological Secretary had visited the Royal Academy and “That it be a recommendation to Council that the Chairman of the Library Committee should approach A.K. Lawrence and ask him to undertake the portrait...” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 22 October 1948, p.274]. In 1949 “The Chairman reported that A.K. Lawrence had accepted the commission to paint the portrait of the President and that the President had already given a number of sittings.” [Minutes of the Library Committee of the Royal Society, CMB/47/5, meeting of 29 June 1949, p.284].
Associated place