Sir Hans Sloane at The British Museum, London
Sir Hans Sloane at The British Museum, London
3D
Published 2016-04-25T12:14:53+00:00
Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), who trained as a doctor, was President of the Royal College of Physicians and was physician to Queen Anne and King George III. As a scientist interested in natural history, he founded the Botanic Garden, now the Chelsea Physic Garden, in 1721, as a centre for the study of plants for medicinal use. Sloane is today remembered principally as a great collector and connoisseur; he had his own museum of ethnographic and other material, with a series of catalogues. Sloane's collection formed part of the original foundation of The British Museum, and his portrait can be seen among the thousands of objects he bequeathed to the Museum.Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770) originated in Antwerp and was trained there before coming to London in 1720. He was the most prominent sculptor in the baroque style in Britain when this portrait was commissioned. Sloane's features are realistically depicted. The long wig and elaborate costume emphasize his status. The lively character of this bust and its rich surface, considered rare in Rysbrack's work, makes this bust one of his masterpieces.
al history, he studied medicine in London and France.
In 1689, Sloane set up a successful medical practice at his home in No. 3 Bloomsbury Place – coincidentally just along the street from the present Museum building. He had a number of wealthy and aristocratic patients, among them Queen Anne and Kings George I and II.
An innovative doctor, Sloane promoted inoculation against smallpox, the use of quinine (a treatment for malaria) and the health-giving properties of drinking chocolate mixed with milk.
He became President of the College of Physicians in 1719 and in 1727 succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society.
Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753) was born in Killyleagh, Ireland in relatively modest circumstances. Inspired by a childhood interest in natural history, he studied medicine in London and France.
In 1689, Sloane set up a successful medical practice at his home in No. 3 Bloomsbury Place – coincidentally just along the street from the present Museum building. He had a number of wealthy and aristocratic patients, among them Queen Anne and Kings George I and II.
An innovative doctor, Sloane promoted inoculation against smallpox, the use of quinine (a treatment for malaria) and the health-giving properties of drinking chocolate mixed with milk.
He became President of the College of Physicians in 1719 and in 1727 succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society.
Sloane’s career as a collector really began in 1687 when, as personal physician, he accompanied the new Governor, the Duke of Albermarle, to Jamaica. He collected some 800 species of plants and other live specimens to bring back to London. An account of his travels was published in 1707 and 1725.
He absorbed complete collections made by others, among them William Charlton (Courten) (1642–1702) and James Petiver (d.1718). He also received objects from friends and patients. As a result his collection outgrew the house at No. 3 Bloomsbury Place and he purchased No. 4 as well.
Sloane’s house was visited by numerous people, among them was the composer Handel who is said to have outraged his host by placing a buttered muffin on one of his rare books.
In 1742 he moved with his collections to a manor house in Chelsea. His time there is still commemorated by such place names as Sloane Square and Hans Crescent.
Sloane died at the age of 93 in 1753 and was buried at Chelsea Old Church. By then, his collection amounted to more than 71,000 objects. Chiefly natural history specimens, the collection also included:
- 23,000 coins and medals
- 50,000 books, prints and manuscripts
- a herbarium (a collection of dried plants)
- 1,125 'things relating to the customs of ancient times'
In his will, Sloane bequeathed the whole collection to King George II for the nation in return for payment of £20,000 to his heirs.
Parliament accepted the gift and on 7 June 1753 an Act of Parliament establishing the British Museum received the royal assent. Sloane’s collection became the foundation of the British Museum.
This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.
Scanned : Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)
Layer Height: 0.15mm
| Date published | 25/04/2016 |
| Time to do | 510 - 530 minutes |
| Material Quantity | 77.9g |
| Dimensions | 105.56mm x 58.5mm x 130mm |
| Technology | FDM |
| Title | Sir Hans Sloane |
| Dimension | Height, 68.5 cm, Width, 60 cm |
| Accession | 17,560,619.10 |
| Period | ca. 1740 |
| Medium | Terracotta |
| Credit | Donated by Sloane's daughters |
| Artist | Michael Rysbrack |
| Place | British Museum |
