Painting, rhinoceros skull by W [William] Clift

Description

Plate 2, figure 1 showing a rhinoceros skull. This specimen [of white rhinoceros?] was brought from Africa by John Campbell (1766-1840) of the London Missionary Society and deposited in their Museum in Old Jewry [London]. The work is inscribed with publication and plate details. Variously annotated, above in pencil 'NB A x B to be on the same plate' and lower left in ink '2 inches to a Foot' followed in pencil by 'Reduce it to 1 1/2 In to a foot'. Signed lower right 'W. Clift del. Aug 27. 1821.' Royal Society stamp verso. The manuscript for this paper is wanting.

Subject: Zoology / Palaeontology

Published in Philosophical Transactions as part of paper titled 'On a new species of Rhinoceros found in the interior of Africa, the skull of which bears a close resemblance to that found in a fossil state in Siberia and other countries' by Everard Home.

Read to the Royal Society on 13 December 1821.

Reference number

PT/73/9/1

Earliest possible date

27 August 1821

Physical description

Watercolour on artists' board

Page extent

1 page

Format

Watercolour

Digital version available on The Royal Society Picture Library

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