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William Harvey (1578–1657) revolutionised the science of medicine with his discovery of the circulation of blood and his approach to experimentation. Harvey’s discovery was rejected by many during his lifetime, but a consensus on circulation was reached after his death, marking the biggest change in medical theory in a thousand years. Harvey was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and donated his own library to the College in 1656 and endowed it with money from his estates in Kent, creating the post of Harveian Librarian to oversee the collections. Every year during the RCP’s annual Harveian Oration, a toast is raised to this portrait in recognition of Harvey’s immense contribution to medicine and the RCP. The artist Peter Lely was a Dutch painter who was appointed as a Royal Court portraitist by Charles II.
Title
William Harvey (1578–1657)
Date
c.1675
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 76.2 x W 63.5 cm
Accession number
X34
Acquisition method
gift from Lady Davies, 1967
Work type
Painting
