Sir Hans Sloane at The British Museum, London

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Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), a highly respected doctor, was the President of the Royal College of Physicians and physician to Queen Anne and King George III. As a scientist deeply interested in natural history, he founded the Botanic Garden, now the Chelsea Physic Garden, in 1721 as a center for studying plants for medicinal use. Sloane's legacy is marked by his exceptional collection and connoisseurship; his personal museum featured an array of ethnographic and other materials, carefully cataloged. Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), a renowned sculptor from Antwerp, was trained in his hometown before moving to London in 1720. He was the preeminent sculptor of baroque style in Britain when commissioned with Sloane's portrait. The long wig and elaborate costume accentuate Sloane's status as a prominent figure. Sloane's features are accurately depicted in this bust, with a lively character that sets it apart from Rysbrack's other works. The rich surface and intricate details make this piece one of his masterpieces. Born in Killyleagh, Ireland in modest circumstances, Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was inspired by his childhood interest in natural history to study medicine in London and France. In 1689, he established a successful medical practice at No. 3 Bloomsbury Place, where he treated numerous wealthy and aristocratic patients, including Queen Anne and Kings George I and II. As an innovative doctor, Sloane promoted the use of inoculation against smallpox, quinine for malaria treatment, and the health benefits of drinking chocolate mixed with milk. He became President of the College of Physicians in 1719 and succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society in 1727. Sloane's career as a collector began in 1687 when he accompanied the new Governor to Jamaica as personal physician. There, he collected over 800 species of plants and other live specimens to bring back to London. His account of his travels was published in 1707 and 1725. He acquired complete collections made by others, including William Charlton (Courten) (1642-1702) and James Petiver (d.1718), as well as receiving objects from friends and patients. As a result, his collection outgrew the house at No. 3 Bloomsbury Place, prompting him to purchase No. 4. Sloane's home was visited by numerous people, including composer Handel, who is said to have outraged his host by placing a buttered muffin on one of his rare books. In 1742, Sloane moved with his collections to a manor house in Chelsea, where he remained until his death at the age of 93 in 1753. He was buried at Chelsea Old Church, leaving behind a collection of over 71,000 objects. The collection consisted mainly of natural history specimens, as well as coins and medals, books, prints, and manuscripts, a herbarium, and 'things relating to the customs of ancient times.' In his will, Sloane bequeathed the entire collection to King George II in exchange for £20,000 to his heirs. Parliament accepted the gift, and on June 7, 1753, an Act of Parliament establishing the British Museum received royal assent. Sloane's collection formed the foundation of the British Museum. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access free of charge. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. Scanned using photogrammetry (processed with Agisoft PhotoScan).