Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
01.C.23 |
Object Name |
Engraving |
Title |
Engraving with Portrait of John Fothergill |
Artist |
Unknown |
Date |
1782 |
Description |
Bust-length oval frontal etching of figure in upper center sheet. Figure wears a shoulder length wig, a partially buttoned jacket, and a neckcloth. "JOHN FOTHERGILL. MD.F.R.S." arced outside bottom perimeter of the portrait. Signed "Rd. Livesay pincr" and "F. Bartolozzi sculp" along bottom perimeter. At bottom in script: "Cui suas artes, sua dona laetus Et herbam et Venae salientis ictum Scire concessit, celerem et medendi Delius usum." "From a Bust in the Possession of Dr. Lettsom" at bottom. In gilt, wooden frame under glass. |
Label |
John Fothergill, elected to the APS in 1770, was a British physician, naturalist, and philanthropist. A Quaker and London physician, he published widely on medical topics, including an essay that offered the first accurate description of diphtheria. He was an acquaintance of many eminent figures who shared his passion for natural science, including Peter Collinson, John Bartram, and Benjamin Franklin. Upon Fothergill’s death in 1780 Franklin remarked that “I think a worthier man never lived.” This image of Fothergill first appeared in the 1784 publication of his works by John Coakely Lettsom, a protégé of Fothergill. Lettsom owned a bust of Fothergill that was turned into a painting by a Richard Livesay and then engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi for the publication. The Latin phrase below the image is also from Lettsom’s publication, apparently an alteration of a phrase originating from British Latin poet Anthony Alsop, who died in 1726. The APS holds some letters of John Fothergill. |
Medium |
Engraving |
Dimensions |
H-7.75 W-5.625 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century science scientist medicine physician |