John Flamsteed, 1646 -1719, 1st Astronomer Royal,

An oval profile portrait medallion, in low-relief, head-and-shoulders bust length, showing John Flamsteed in periwig, bands and clerical robes. It is signed 'D.L.M. and inscribed on the reverse 'IOH:FLAMSTEDIVS Math. Reg. Aetat. An.73 Completd 1719'. We are grateful to Cliff Thornton for pointing out (February 2020) that this is beyond reasonable doubt the portrait of Flamsteed 'in Ivory', formerly in possession of the fifth Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, which his wife presented and left among some of his books, manuscripts and pictures 'at Flamstead House for the Use of the Royal Observatory, [in] April 1811'. The inventory was made on 13 April 1811 in the course of her move elsewhere following her husband's death. It is in the Maskelyne papers held in the Museum (REG09/000037: 10:3-10:22) and this item is fifth on the list of 12 'Pictures' on folio 8 (out of ten used, with some blank). Although Flamsteed is shown in clerical dress he rarely visited his parish in Surrey, but used the income from it to purchase instruments for the Observatory.

Object Details

ID: ZBA0692
Type: Portrait medallion
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Marchand, David Le
Places: Greenwich
Date made: 1719
People: Flamsteed, Reverend John
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 120 mm x 95 mm x 28 mm
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