How you can use this image
This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike licence (CC BY-NC-SA).
This image can be reproduced in any way but your use of it cannot be for any kind of commercial purpose. Any work you create using this image must also be
Wherever you reproduce the image or an altered version of it, you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s), the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other stated rights holders.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
DownloadNotes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
Sir Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh, Ireland. From 1687–1689 he visited Jamaica as personal physician to the Governor. He was President of the College of Physicians (1719–1735) and President of the Royal Society (1727–1741). For many years he and his ‘museum’ were located in Bloomsbury but in 1742 he moved to his manor house in Chelsea. In his will, Sloane bequeathed his immense collection to George II for the nation in return for a payment to his heirs. On 7 June 1753 an Act of Parliament establishing the British Museum received the royal assent. Sloane is seen here in an elaborate chair surmounted by the Royal Society’s coat of arms, with the head of its mace visible on the table. Behind is a sculptured relief of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine and healing.
Title
Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753)
Date
early 18th C
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 217.2 x W 179.1 cm
Accession number
Painting.24
Acquisition method
gift from Mr Pinchbeck, 1759, or Mrs Horsman, 1767
Work type
Painting
