Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. Engraving by Robert Newton after Thomas Lawrence

London, 1820. Davy, Humphry (1778-1829). Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. Late President of the Royal Society of London, &c. &c. Engraved portrait by Robert Newton after the painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830). London: Moon, Boys and Graves, 1830. 491 x 356 mm. (plate mark measures 448 x 338 mm.). Minor foxing, some marginal chips and tears (not affecting image), right margin repaired. Very good. Fine engraved portrait of Davy, who was the first to note the anesthetic properties of nitrous oxide. He published this groundbreaking observation in his Researches, Chemical and Philosophical, Chiefly Concerning Nitrous Oxide, or Dephlogisticated Nnitrous Air, and its Respiration (1800) and suggested that the gas might be useful in minor surgical operations. This engraved portrait was taken from the painting by the eminent British artist Thomas Lawrence, made circa 1821. The original is in the National Portrait Gallery in London. . (Inventory #: 41023)