Portrait of an Unknown Gentleman (Previously Identified as Nevil Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal 1732-1811)
Although acquired as a portrait of Nevil Maskelyne, fifth Astronomer Royal at Greenwich (1765 -1811), the late Derek Howse, former Head of Astronomy at NMM and Maskelyne's biographer, firmly believed that this portrait is misidentified on the basis of its great dissimilarity to Louis van der Puyl's undoubted Maskelyne portrait of 1785 owned by the Royal Society. Van der Puyl shows him in clerical dress (black with bands) appropriate to his formal status as a clerk in Holy Orders, rather than in the civil attire here, and against the background of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. This otherwise fine portrait against a classical column is therefore probably another astronomer, so far unidentified.
Artist: John Downman
Date: 1779
Please check the size and frame options carefully so that you are happy, as once ordered we will be unable to make changes.
Our custom prints and frames are all handmade to the highest standards.
Custom prints are printed on sustainable, matt 250gsm conservation digital paper. Unframed prints are carefully rolled with acid free tissue paper inside a sturdy cardboard tube. Frames are made in the UK from sustainably- sourced woods.
Custom prints are made to order and therefore take a little longer than our standard fulfilment times. Please read our Delivery and returns page for our latest information about UK and international shipping.
Custom prints cannot be sent via our FedEx delivery service option.
Member and subscriber discounts do not apply to custom prints.
Frequently asked questions
Our standard processing and fulfillment time is 1-2 working days from the time you placed your order, excluding Custom Prints, online-only telescopes and personalised clothing.
All UK orders (excluding personalised clothing) are sent using a tracked service.
Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing take a little longer to fulfill due to being made to order.
Please see our Delivery and returns page for more information and last order dates.
Online-only telescopes are shipped directly from Celestron.
FREE Standard UK delivery for all orders over £50 (Royal Mail)
For all other orders, we offer Standard UK delivery for £4.95 per order (Royal Mail).
Delivery rate varies by country and value of order, and starts from as little as £6.95.
Please allow 5-7 working days for standard orders to be dispatched.
Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing take a little longer to fulfill due to being made to order. Please see our recommended last order dates for these items on our Delivery and returns page.
We send using a Royal Mail/FedEx tracked delivery service (excluding personalised products). Please allow 7-10 working days to receive after we have dispatched.
Please see our Delivery and returns page for all information.
For all returns, please contact us as soon as possible using the contact form, expressing your wish to return. Please wait for confirmation from one of our team before returning.
Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing are made to order and therefore we are unable to offer a refund or exchange, unless they are faulty.
Please see our Delivery and returns page for full information.
