print
- Museum number
- 1958,1006.2757
- Title
- Object: Tho:Tompion Automatopœus
- Description
-
Portrait of Thomas Tompion half-length to right within oval frame, holding watch in his left hand, eyes to front, wearing plain coat with collar open, neckcloth and wig; lettered state. 1697
Mezzotint
- Production date
- 1697
- Dimensions
-
Height: 345 millimetres
-
Width: 248 millimetres (platemark)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Visual Analysis by Pauline Wholey 2019
P. OF THOMAS TOMPION
The dignified yet deliberate pose of Tompion in the portrait seems to animate him with intellectual grandeur and civic virtue as he confidently gazes at the viewer. His gaze seems uninterrupted as if he knows something the observer is not aware of. As he holds his watch movement in his left hand with a sense of pride, the viewer directly looks towards his great achievement. From the layout of the movement, the watch seems to date from the late 17th century. Given this, the portrait was probably commemorated to mark the height of his career. Furthermore, His luscious curly wig, as well as the ‘softening of focus’ on his face, brings the impression of idealisation, of a perfect gentleman of the 17th century.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Latest: 5 (Feb 1996) Check mounting-board.
- Acquisition date
- 1958
- Acquisition notes
- The Ilbert Collection of clocks, prints and other related material was destined to be sold at Christie's auction house on 6th-7th November 1958. As a result of the generous donation of funds by Gilbert Edgar CBE the sale was cancelled and the material purchased privately from the beneficiaries of the Ilbert Estate.
Ilbert's watches were then acquired with further funds from Gilbert Edgar CBE, public donations and government funds. These were then registered in the series 1958,1201.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1958,1006.2757
- Additional IDs
-
Previous owner/ex-collection number: CAI.2757 (Ilbert Collection)