Credit: ©The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9715
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Portrait of John Locke
Date
17th - 18th century
Sitter
John Locke (1632 - 1704, British) , Philosopher
Creator
Unknown, Artist
After
Godfrey Kneller (1646 - 1723, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 756mm
width (painting): 629mm
width (painting): 629mm
Subject
Art & culture
> Natural Philosophy
Politics & Government
> Slave trade
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
> Natural Philosophy
Politics & Government
> Slave trade
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Description
Head and shoulders portrait of John Locke in a painted oval, body turned to the right as viewed, face tilted to the left. Locke is shown wearing a short grey wig, a white shirt open at the neck, and a light brown robe.
John Locke (1632–1704), British philosopher, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1668. He published a number of influential works on empiricism and political liberalism, including An essay concerning human understanding (1689). He held posts at Oxford University (1660-1661), the Council of Trade (1673-1675) and the Commissioner of Trade and Plantations (1689-1704).
John Locke (1632–1704), British philosopher, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1668. He published a number of influential works on empiricism and political liberalism, including An essay concerning human understanding (1689). He held posts at Oxford University (1660-1661), the Council of Trade (1673-1675) and the Commissioner of Trade and Plantations (1689-1704).
Transcription
JOHN LOCKE ESQR. F.R.S
J.Locke Esq. R.4 TR....R4.
JOHN LOCKE, F.R.S. (1632-1704) by SIR GODFREY KNELLER
J.Locke Esq. R.4 TR....R4.
JOHN LOCKE, F.R.S. (1632-1704) by SIR GODFREY KNELLER
Object history
Presented by John Belchier FRS (1706-1785), 1774.
The gift is recorded in the Society’s Journal Books: “The following presents were made...A Copy of Sir Godfrey Kneller’s Capital Picture of Mr. Locke, by Mr. Belchier F.R.S.” [Royal Society Journal Book, Original, JBO/28, meeting of 13 January 1774, p.257]. The donation was also printed in the annual list of gifts in Philosophical Transactions [“Presents made to the Royal Society in the year 1774; with the names of the donors”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol.64 (1774), p.494].
The gift is recorded in the Society’s Journal Books: “The following presents were made...A Copy of Sir Godfrey Kneller’s Capital Picture of Mr. Locke, by Mr. Belchier F.R.S.” [Royal Society Journal Book, Original, JBO/28, meeting of 13 January 1774, p.257]. The donation was also printed in the annual list of gifts in Philosophical Transactions [“Presents made to the Royal Society in the year 1774; with the names of the donors”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol.64 (1774), p.494].
Associated place