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Title:
Astronomy
Object name(s):
oil painting; oil painting
Brief description:
Painting. [Astronomy] by Alfred Thomson, R.A., 1954. - Oil on canvas, 15 x 24ft [sight]. - Signed and dated on centre lower edge. - Commissioned by the Science Museum for its main entrance stairwell; top left corner is cut to follow shape of staircase. - Mural depicting the development of the telescope; Galileo is the central figure, with a group symbolising the disapproval of authority to the advancement of science. The 200-foot telescope of Mount Palomar is shown. Commission represents the conflict between pre-scientific and scientific attitudes to cosmology.
Collection:
Science Museum Group
Associated concept:
oil painting
Associated person:
Galileo Galilei
Person's association:
association
Associated person:
Science Museum
Person's association:
association
Associated person:
Palomar Observatory
Person's association:
depicted
Associated place:
Palomar mountain
Place association:
depicted
Credit line:
Mr. A.R. Thomson.
Material:
oil paint on canvas
Object name:
oil painting; oil painting
Object production date:
Date - earliest / single:
1954
Date - latest:
1954
Object production date:
Date - association:
made
Date - earliest / single:
1954
Date - latest:
1954
Object production person:
Thomson, Alfred Reginald
Object production place:
England, United Kingdom
Other number:
1954-192
Other number type:
accession number
Other number:
R2001580
Other number type:
Libertas ID Number
Other number:
SML2001580
Other number type:
Libertas ID Number
Other number:
9241/1/8
Other number type:
file number
Responsible department/section:
SCM - Art
Right holder:
Science Museum
Right type:
Copyright

Persistent shareable link for this record: https://museumdata.uk/objects/bfd0566f-60aa-3535-bad8-feb6e5371d04

Use licence for this record: CC BY

Attribution for this record: https://museumdata.uk/objects/bfd0566f-60aa-3535-bad8-feb6e5371d04, Science Museum Group, CC BY

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