engraving of experiment by J.H. Swinden in the Zall der Natuurkunde
Date: 1801
Inventory Number: 1998-1-1684
Classification: Print
Subject:
Artist: Pieter Pietersz Barbiers (1749 - 1842)
Artist: Reinier Vinkeles (1741 - 1816)
Artist: Jacques Kuyper (1761 - 1808)
Maker: C. S. Roos
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
in matte, with 1998-1-1685: 48.4 x 59.5 x 0.1 cm (19 1/16 x 23 7/16 x 1/16 in.)
Material:
Description:
Black & white engraving showing a lecture by J.H. van Swinden (1746-1823), the famous writer on electricity, before the Society Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. It represents the lecturer and his assistant demonstrating an electrical machine in front of a large audience. The image is from the perspective of one facing the audience behind van Swinden and his associate. An easel faces the audience, which is clad mostly in powdered wigs and culottes. The hall has a series of steps, for sitting, and a balcony. A chandelier hangs over the demonstration table.
The machine itself is an English-type electrical machine, similar to DW0504, with a pair of glass discs turned by a crank.
The machine itself is an English-type electrical machine, similar to DW0504, with a pair of glass discs turned by a crank.
Signedlower left: P. Barbiers, del. J. Kuyper, fig. dd.
lower center, below crest: C.S. Roos, excudit Amstelodam, 1801
lower right: Rein^r Vinkeles, Sculps.
lower center, below crest: C.S. Roos, excudit Amstelodam, 1801
lower right: Rein^r Vinkeles, Sculps.
InscribedZAAL DER NATUURKUNDE / IN HET GEBOUW der MAATSCHAPPYE FELIX MERITIS / BINNEN AMSTERDAM SALLE DE PHIJ[for Y]SIQUE / DANS L'ÉDIFICE de la SOCIÉTÉ FELIX MERITIS / À AMSTERDAM
lower right corner: [Procsdruk]
on matte: MATTED AT ESSEX INSTITUTE / MARCH 1, 1973 / R.E.
lower right corner: [Procsdruk]
on matte: MATTED AT ESSEX INSTITUTE / MARCH 1, 1973 / R.E.
FunctionAccording to the Felix Meritis website, "the Felix Meritis building at Keizersgracht 324 was inaugurated by the affluent citizens of Amsterdam with an interest in the arts and sciences in 1789, the year in which the French Revolution broke out in Paris. The various rooms of this ‘Temple of the Enlightenment' were used for concerts, literary meetings, debates and other functions. Concerts given by the Felix Meritis society set the tone for musical life in the Dutch capital until late in the nineteenth century."
Curatorial RemarksFrom paper label, which also has numbers 1998-1-1684(b/w) and 1998-1-1685(c[olor]) written on it:
***
8. SALLE DE PHYSIQUE dans l'edifice de la Société Felix Meritis à Amsterdam. LARGE ENGRAVING by Vinkeles after R. Barbiers and J. Kuyper. Plate measurements: 17:21 1/2 inches.
Amsterdam, C.S.Roos, 1801.
A large and beautiful engraving showing a lecture by J.H. van Swinden (1746-1823), the famous writer on electricity, before the Society Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. It represents the lecturer and his assistant demonstrating an electrical machine in front of a large audience. A much reduced reproduction of this engraving will be found in B. Dibner, Early Electrical Machines (1957), p.55.- A few small tears in the outer margins.
***
From other strip of paper: Best Wishes for the New Year
Bern Dibner
President
BURNDY ENGINEERING Co., Inc.
BURNDY, CANADA, Ltd.
***
8. SALLE DE PHYSIQUE dans l'edifice de la Société Felix Meritis à Amsterdam. LARGE ENGRAVING by Vinkeles after R. Barbiers and J. Kuyper. Plate measurements: 17:21 1/2 inches.
Amsterdam, C.S.Roos, 1801.
A large and beautiful engraving showing a lecture by J.H. van Swinden (1746-1823), the famous writer on electricity, before the Society Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. It represents the lecturer and his assistant demonstrating an electrical machine in front of a large audience. A much reduced reproduction of this engraving will be found in B. Dibner, Early Electrical Machines (1957), p.55.- A few small tears in the outer margins.
***
From other strip of paper: Best Wishes for the New Year
Bern Dibner
President
BURNDY ENGINEERING Co., Inc.
BURNDY, CANADA, Ltd.