Credit: ©The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9755
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Portrait of Joseph Priestley
Date
pre 1930
Sitter
Joseph Priestley (1733 - 1804, British) , Natural philosopher
Creator
Unknown, Forger
After
William Artaud (1763 - 1823, British) , Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 457mm
width (painting): 330mm
width (painting): 330mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Half-length portrait of Joseph Priestley seated in a green chair with a scrolled wooden handle before a writing table, upon which rests a hexagonal ink-well with a quill, a leather-bound book and loose manuscript papers. Priestley writes on one of these using a quill in his right hand. Behind, half-hidden by a red curtain, is a book case containing bound volumes. In front of these is a set of apothecary’s scales, what appears to be a powdered chemical sample on a piece of paper and a small glass retort resting on a copper or brass cylinder. Priestley is dressed in a black coat and waistcoat with a white neck-cloth and wears a grey wig.
Joseph Priestley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
Joseph Priestley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
Transcription
Joseph Priestley A twentieth century impression by an anonymous artist in the archaic style. Presented by Lord Melchett F.R.S
JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, F.R.S. (1733-1804) ARTIST UNKNOWN
JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, F.R.S. (1733-1804) ARTIST UNKNOWN
Object history
Presented by Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett FRS (1868-1930), 1930.
The gift is noted in Council Minutes: “The President reported the receipt of a letter from Lord Melchett offering the Society a contemporary portrait of Joseph Priestley. Resolved – That Lord Melchett’s gift be accepted with thanks“ [Royal Society, Council Minutes, CMP/13, 1926-1932, meeting of 27 March 1930, p.219]. Melchett’s letter of presentation to Sir Ernest Rutherford is preserved in the Society’s archives, with Rutherford’s acknowledgement. [Letter, Melchett, 26 March 1930, to Sir Ernest Rutherford; and reply 27 March 1930, Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.2].
A confidential report initialled “WBH” [Sir William Bate Hardy FRS (1864-1934)] gives additional background to this unusual acquisition: “this portrait was bought by the late Lord Melchett, at the instance, I believe, of Professor Donnan [Frederick George Donnan FRS (1870-1956)]...The portrait was examined by Mr Gabb and found to be a forgery, based on a well-known engraving...Gabb [presumably the collector George H, Gabb] took the portrait to the National Gallery, when it was unhesitatingly pronounced to be a forgery – “forgery sticking out all over it” as the Director [Henry Hake] said to me...” [Report, “Portrait of Joseph Priestley now hanging in the rooms of the Royal Society”, William Bate Hardy, [1932], Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.1].
Intriguingly a letter by Hardy to Sir Frank Edward Smith FRS (1876-1970) suggests that the author of the fake may have been identified, but not written down: “In point of fact it is not in any accepted sense a portrait of Priestley and the ‘artist’ is known!” [Letter, W.B.Hardy, 12 March 1932, to F.E,Smith, Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.1].
The gift is noted in Council Minutes: “The President reported the receipt of a letter from Lord Melchett offering the Society a contemporary portrait of Joseph Priestley. Resolved – That Lord Melchett’s gift be accepted with thanks“ [Royal Society, Council Minutes, CMP/13, 1926-1932, meeting of 27 March 1930, p.219]. Melchett’s letter of presentation to Sir Ernest Rutherford is preserved in the Society’s archives, with Rutherford’s acknowledgement. [Letter, Melchett, 26 March 1930, to Sir Ernest Rutherford; and reply 27 March 1930, Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.2].
A confidential report initialled “WBH” [Sir William Bate Hardy FRS (1864-1934)] gives additional background to this unusual acquisition: “this portrait was bought by the late Lord Melchett, at the instance, I believe, of Professor Donnan [Frederick George Donnan FRS (1870-1956)]...The portrait was examined by Mr Gabb and found to be a forgery, based on a well-known engraving...Gabb [presumably the collector George H, Gabb] took the portrait to the National Gallery, when it was unhesitatingly pronounced to be a forgery – “forgery sticking out all over it” as the Director [Henry Hake] said to me...” [Report, “Portrait of Joseph Priestley now hanging in the rooms of the Royal Society”, William Bate Hardy, [1932], Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.1].
Intriguingly a letter by Hardy to Sir Frank Edward Smith FRS (1876-1970) suggests that the author of the fake may have been identified, but not written down: “In point of fact it is not in any accepted sense a portrait of Priestley and the ‘artist’ is known!” [Letter, W.B.Hardy, 12 March 1932, to F.E,Smith, Royal Society Modern Domestic Archives, MDA/G3.1].
Associated place