Sir Isaac Newton

Date1735

Maker Jacobus Houbraken 1698-1780

After work by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

Publisher John and Paul Knapton

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack and white line engraving and etching

DimensionsOVERALL: 15 7/8" X 9 7/8"

Credit LineGift of Mr. R. B. Dunwoody

Object number1930-643

DescriptionText on banner reads: "S..r ISAAC NEWTON"
Lower margin reads: "J. Houbraken sculpsit./ "In the Possession of John Conduit Esq.r/ G. Kneller pinx"Label TextThis is one of the portraits for the Kit Kat Club and was then included in volumes of Birch's "The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, Engraved by Mr Houbraken and by Mr Vertue" (London, 1743-1752) (compiling of portraits of famous people); these were sold in the Colonies.

Black and white portrait print line engraving; Newton is shown in a half length figure in an oval frame; he is seated facing left; he wears a long wig and informal dress; his shirt is open at the neck and he has a robe draping; the oval rests on a highly ornamented base; an engraving of two female figures is shown on the base, and this is surrounded by various scientific instruments.ProvenanceBefore 1930, R. B. Dunwoody (Surrey, England); 1930-present, given to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).