"Interior of the Pantheon, Oxford Street, with Benjamin Wilson standing at left holding a torch at the end of a long conducting device, two assistants at different points in the apparatus at right."--British Museum online catalogue and "The scene probably depicts Wilson's demonstration for the King in 1777 to demonstrate his theories about lightning conductors (see G. L'E. Turner 'A Portrait of James Short, F.R.S., Attributable to Benjamin Wilson, F.R.S' Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 22, No. 1/2 (Sep., 1967), pp. 105-112, p.106)."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title engraved above image., Frontispiece to: Wilson, B. An account of experiments made at the Pantheon on the nature and use of conductors. London : Printed for J. Nourse ..., 1778., and Bound in before page 339 in volume 4 part 2 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Malcolm, J.P. Londinium redivivum, or, An antient history and modern description of London.
Publisher:
J. Nourse
Subject (Geographic):
London (England), England, London., London, and England.
Subject (Name):
Wilson, Benjamin, 1721-1788,
Subject (Topic):
Electricity, electricity, Experiments, Scientific equipment, and Electrical apparatus
Title derived from volume title., Frontispiece for: Essai sur l'ectricité́ des corps, Paris, 1746., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Scales & Balances; Weights & measures.
Publisher:
Chez les Frères Guérin
Subject (Topic):
Electricity, Experiments, Biomagnetism, Spectators, Scientists, and Scientific equipment
Two renowned quacks demonstrate the superiority of each other's experiments and inventions. On the left, Graham, a quack, fashionable doctor and visionary, stands on the glass insulators used in his experiments with electricity and placed on top of a podium in the form of an E.O.(gaming) table, a reference to the illegal gambling he patronized at his residence. He stradles a long tube signed, "Prime conductor / Gentle restorer / Largest in the world." Behind his table stand two gigantic porters employed at his establishment, named here "Gog" and "Magog." The placard around Gog's neck, "The Temple of Health & of Hymen," is an allusion to Graham's 'celestial bed' for cure of sterility. His opponent on the right side of the image, quack, conjurer and showman Katerfelto, crouches next to a cylindrical conductor signed, "Positively Charg'd." The trident inserted in the back end of the conductor touches a grindstone turned by the devil. Electric sparks shoot from its front end and from Katerfelto's right thumb and index finger. Some sparks drip on a toy cannon in front of him firing at Graham. His podium is made of flimsy planks placed atop the container signed, "Reservoir for Dead Insects destroyd by Dr. Katterf[elto]."
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed trimmed to plate mark., and Mounted to 28 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 17th 1783 by W. Humphrey No 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Graham, James, 1745-1794. and Katerfelto, Gustavus, fl. 1782-1783.
Subject (Topic):
Electricity, Experiments, Gog and Magog, Quacks, Devil, Medicines, Gambling, and Wigs
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin performing his famous experiment of June 1752 in which he attached a key to a kite and flew it in a thunderstorm in order to prove that lightning was electricity. Almost allegorical in presentation, Franklin is shown seated on clouds with cherub-like figures assisting him on the right in the backgroun, his red cape blowing in the wind against a stormy sky
Description:
Date and title taken from impression at the Philadelphia Museum of Art., Based on the Benjamiin West oil painting now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art., and Embossed letters at lower left corner: Cercle Librairie estampes encircling initials RTN.
