Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9732
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Portrait of John Dalton
Date
ca. 1841
Sitter
John Dalton (1766 - 1844, British) , Chemist
Creator
Benjamin Rawlinson Faulkner (1787 - 1849, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1280mm
width (painting): 1025mm
width (painting): 1025mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Three-quarter length portrait of John Dalton seated in a wooden armchair with red upholstery. Dalton’s right hand holds his chair’s armrest: his left arm rests by the elbow on a small table, an open volume in his hand containing manuscript notes and an illustration of his atomic theory. The table is covered in a red cloth and has a still life, including Dalton’s spectacles, a quill pen in an ink well,, a glass chemical bottle, and a large wooden and brass air pump. Dalton is dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and neck-cloth.
John Dalton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1822.
John Dalton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1822.
Transcription
John Dalton D.C.L.
Thomas Agnew late Agnew & Zanetti Carver Gilder Looking glasses, picture frame manufacturer PRINTER BOOKSELLER . 18, Exchange St. Manchester
JOHN DALTON, F.R.S. by B.R.FAULKNER
Thomas Agnew late Agnew & Zanetti Carver Gilder Looking glasses, picture frame manufacturer PRINTER BOOKSELLER . 18, Exchange St. Manchester
JOHN DALTON, F.R.S. by B.R.FAULKNER
Object history
Presented by a Memorial Committee, 1841.
Notice of the gift appears in the Society’s Council Minutes: “The following letter addressed to the President was read: - ...The Committee to whom it was referred to obtain from Sir Francis Chantrey ‘some durable Memorial of the distinguished merits of Dr.Dalton,’ and ‘to apply any surplus fund to the doing honour to him,’ respectfully request the Royal Society of London will accept from them a Portrait of their venerable friend, which has been recently painted for the purpose by B.R.Faulkner, Esq., of Newman Street, London; and also be pleased to place it along with the portraits of those illustrious men which adorn their apartments...they have much pleasure in expressing their high admiration of the fidelity of the likeness, and of the excellency of the painting...Resolved, - That the thanks of the Council be given to the Subscribers for their present of the portrait of Dr. Dalton, which they gladly accept.“ [Letter, John Moore, 18 May 1841, to the Marquis of Northampton, reproduced in Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, CMP/1, 1832-1846, meeting of 10 June 1841, p.341].
Notice of the gift appears in the Society’s Council Minutes: “The following letter addressed to the President was read: - ...The Committee to whom it was referred to obtain from Sir Francis Chantrey ‘some durable Memorial of the distinguished merits of Dr.Dalton,’ and ‘to apply any surplus fund to the doing honour to him,’ respectfully request the Royal Society of London will accept from them a Portrait of their venerable friend, which has been recently painted for the purpose by B.R.Faulkner, Esq., of Newman Street, London; and also be pleased to place it along with the portraits of those illustrious men which adorn their apartments...they have much pleasure in expressing their high admiration of the fidelity of the likeness, and of the excellency of the painting...Resolved, - That the thanks of the Council be given to the Subscribers for their present of the portrait of Dr. Dalton, which they gladly accept.“ [Letter, John Moore, 18 May 1841, to the Marquis of Northampton, reproduced in Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, CMP/1, 1832-1846, meeting of 10 June 1841, p.341].
Associated place