Telescopic study of the Moon, by John Russell RA, 1796. 1 drawing: crayon pastel, on paper; 46x61cm, conserved 2000 and backed to 50x66cm. in protective frame 53x68.5x4cm. Diameter of Moon' s dial 14.5ins/37cm.
Sketch in crayon pastel drawn by John Russell RA in 1796 of the gibbous Moon at last quarter. The view is based on his observations of the Moon made through a telescope. An established portrait painter, John Russell (1745-1806) believed he could produce a more realistic and accurate portrayal of our lunar neighbour. Russell started his observations of the Moon in 1785 using a small refracting telescope fitted with an eyepiece micrometer to accurately measure the lunar features. His lunar sketches were later engraved and published in 1797 along with a Moon globe that was mounted on an elaborate brass stand called 'Selenographia'.