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Joseph Needham

© the artist's estate. Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Notes

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Biochemist and historian of science; Needham became interested in China and was a supporter of the Chinese communist revolution, producing the twelve-volume Science and Civilization in China (1954–1984); first director of the Natural Science Department of UNESCO (1946–1948). The artist made this quick oil sketch of Needham at the same time as painting the portrait of his Chinese girlfriend for the Needham Research Institute in Cambridge. She has painted a number of scientists, including the commissioned portrait of Stephen Hawking for the National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

Joseph Needham

Date

1988

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 61 x W 50.8 cm

Accession number

6571

Acquisition method

Purchased, 2001

Work type

Painting

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National Portrait Gallery, London

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