About this artwork
Born in East Kilbride, in 1748 John Hunter moved to London to assist his brother William in his recently founded anatomy school. It was here that he learned the principles of surgery, supplementing his knowledge through various hospital training posts. Recognised the world over as the father of scientific surgery, Hunter is depicted by Reynolds at the height of his career. Anatomical preparations and volumes on fossils, plants and animals surround him, all suggestive of his breadth of interests and his enquiring mind for the world around him. Part of the 7’ 7” skeleton of Charles Byrne, the ‘Irish Giant’, can be glimpsed behind the surgeon.
Updated before 2020
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artist:William Overend Geller (1804 - 1881) English
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title:John Hunter, 1728 - 1793. Surgeon and anatomist
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date created:Published 1836
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after:Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792) English
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materials:Mezzotint on paper [?]
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measurements:42.55 x 34.29 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Given by W.B. Hamilton
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accession number:SP IV 79.3
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
William Overend Geller
William Overend Geller
William Overend Geller was a nineteenth century painter and engraver who was active in London. He was an accomplished master of mixed-method engraving which included various printing techniques such as mezzotinting, aquatinting, engraving and etching. He engraved both works by other artists such as...