History of the barber-surgeons of London / by T.J. Pettigrew.

  • Pettigrew, Thomas Joseph, 1791-1865.
Date:
[1852?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of the barber-surgeons of London / by T.J. Pettigrew. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    excellence. To the connoisseur of costume it furnishes many points worthy of observation. It remains to say, that at the top of the picture, on the left of the king, there is the following inscription in Roman capitals:— Henrico Octavo opt. max. Regi Anglise, Francise et Hibernise, Fidei Hefensori, ac Anglicanse, Hibernicseq. Ecclesiae proxime a Christo supremo Capiti, societas Chirurgorum communibus votis hsec con- secrat. Tristior Anglorum pestis violaverat orbem, Infestans animos, corporibusque sedens; Hanc Deus insignem cladem miseratus ab alto Te medici munus jussit obire boni. Lumen Evangelii fulvis circumvolat alis, Pharmacon ad fectis montibus illud erit: Consilioq. tuo celebrant monumenta Galeni, Et celeri morbus pellitur omnis ope. Nos igitur, supplex medicorum turba tuorum, Hanc tibi sacramus religione domum, Muneris et memores quo nos, Henrice, beasti, Imperio optamus maxima quoque tuo. This beautiful work of art has been worthily engraved by Baron, and I beg to direct your attention to the framed chalk drawing near the window, from which the engraving has been made. From the minutes of the company I copy the following:— 11 27 Aug. 1734. Copper plate of Holbein picture, ordered of Mr. Baron for 150 guineas. Fifty guineas on finishing the drawing, fifty guineas on delivery of the plate, and fifty guineas in 100 prints. “ Dec. 7, 1736. Prints advertized for sale at Mr. Bowles’s at half a guinea each—Bowles to give 8 guineas for every 20 prints.” A few words more with regard to the estimation in which this picture was held: it appears that king James applied to the company for permission to have it copied, and the letter in which the application is made, signed by the king, runs thus:— “ James R, “ Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. AVhereas we are in¬ formed of a table of painting in your hall, whereon is the picture of our