Exhibitions and records of works of art
Prince Albert recognised the importance of photography to record and document notable exhibitions and works of art
AFTER SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS (1723-92)
'James Beattie, L.L.D.'; The Triumph of Truth
c. 1859Albumen print? | RCIN 2866358
Photograph of a three-quarter-length portrait of James Beattie, L.L.D. (1735-1803). The sitter is shown on the right of the composition, facing three-quarters to the left and gazing at the viewer. He wears doctoral robes and bands at his neck, while holding his "Essay on Truth" under his left arm. The winged female figure of Truth hovers over, holding scales in her left hand. With her right hand she drives away the demons of Scepticism, Sophistry and Infidelity (representing Voltaire, Hume and Gibbon), to the left.
The work was created in 1773 by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92). At the time of the photograph, it was in the collection of The Misses Glennie, Aberdeen, who donated it to the University of Aberdeen in 1881 (ABDUA 30003).
The work was created in 1773 by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92). At the time of the photograph, it was in the collection of The Misses Glennie, Aberdeen, who donated it to the University of Aberdeen in 1881 (ABDUA 30003).
Creator(s)
After Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) (artist)
Subject(s)
James Beattie (1735-1803)Voltaire (1694-1778)David Hume (1711-1776)Edward Gibbon (1737-94)- Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Subject(s)
- Philosophy & Psychology
- Philosophy
- Allegory
- Philosophy
Object type(s)
- visual works
- photographs
- Philosophy & Psychology
