Sir Isaac Newton
Medallion
ca. 1740 - ca. 1769 (made)
ca. 1740 - ca. 1769 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This oval ivory medallion is probably made by Gaspar van der Hagen, probably after John Michael Rysbrack in ca. 1740-69.
The portrait probably derived from the so-called Conduit marble bust of Newton by John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), and his terracotta bust in the Wren library, Trinity College, Cambridge, signed and dated 1739. Isaac Newton was widely commemorated in busts and other forms of portraiture throughout the 18th century. Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form. Gaspar van der Hagen was born in the Netherlands but later worked in London, in the workshop of Michael Rysbrack.
The portrait probably derived from the so-called Conduit marble bust of Newton by John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), and his terracotta bust in the Wren library, Trinity College, Cambridge, signed and dated 1739. Isaac Newton was widely commemorated in busts and other forms of portraiture throughout the 18th century. Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form. Gaspar van der Hagen was born in the Netherlands but later worked in London, in the workshop of Michael Rysbrack.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sir Isaac Newton (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
| Brief description | Medallion, ivory, portrait of Sir Isaac Newton in ivory, probably by Gaspar van der Hagen, probably after John Michael Rysbrack, Netherlandish, produced in Britain, ca. 1740-1769 |
| Physical description | Newton is shown in profile to the left wearing a collarless coat over a shirt, the collar of which is open. A narrow drapery passes over the right shoulder and under the left arm. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. in 1938. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This oval ivory medallion is probably made by Gaspar van der Hagen, probably after John Michael Rysbrack in ca. 1740-69. The portrait probably derived from the so-called Conduit marble bust of Newton by John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), and his terracotta bust in the Wren library, Trinity College, Cambridge, signed and dated 1739. Isaac Newton was widely commemorated in busts and other forms of portraiture throughout the 18th century. Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form. Gaspar van der Hagen was born in the Netherlands but later worked in London, in the workshop of Michael Rysbrack. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 128 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.22-1938 |
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| Record created | January 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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