Credit: ©The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9721
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Portrait of William Brouncker
Date
ca. 1674
Sitter
William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker of Lyons (1620 - 1684, British) , Mathematician
Creator
Peter Lely (1618 - 1680, Dutch) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1267mm
width (painting): 1013mm
width (painting): 1013mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Three-quarter length portrait of Viscount Brouncker, seated, his body left side-on to the viewer, his face turned and in half-profile. Brouncker is dressed in a white shirt with black ribbon ties at the cuffs and a white lace neck-cloth. He wears a loose brown robe over these and the green and gold upholstery of his chair is just visible through its folds. Brouncker’s hair is natural, black and shoulder-length and he has a narrow black moustache. His right index finger points towards a paper held upright on a small wooden easel on the red-cloth covered table before him, and this contains a geometrical drawing of a curve. The left hand supports his robe. Behind is a fluted architectural pillar and red drapery.
William Brouncker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1660, he served as its first President from 1662 to 1677. Brouncker was a founder of the Society.
William Brouncker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1660, he served as its first President from 1662 to 1677. Brouncker was a founder of the Society.
Transcription
D. GUIL. VICECOM. BROUNKER. REG. SOC. PRAESES. I. ANO. 1661
VISCOUNT BROUNCKER (1620-84) PRESIDENT 1662-77. By SIR PETER LELY
VISCOUNT BROUNCKER (1620-84) PRESIDENT 1662-77. By SIR PETER LELY
Object history
Presented by Viscount Brouncker, 1675.
The presentation is noted briefly in Robert Hooke’s diary for 18 March 1675: “Lord Brounker sent in Picture.” [The diary of Robert Hooke...1672-1680..., edited by H.W.Robinson and W.Adams (London, Taylor and Francis, 1935), p.153]. There was a meeting of the Royal Society on that day, but the gift was not recorded in the Journal Book account.
The presentation is noted briefly in Robert Hooke’s diary for 18 March 1675: “Lord Brounker sent in Picture.” [The diary of Robert Hooke...1672-1680..., edited by H.W.Robinson and W.Adams (London, Taylor and Francis, 1935), p.153]. There was a meeting of the Royal Society on that day, but the gift was not recorded in the Journal Book account.
Associated place