Deputation to Faraday

Group portrait and historical painting depicting a delegation from Council of the Royal Society in 1857, offering the organisation's Presidency to Michael Faraday, who refused the office.The delegation occupies the left of the composition, facing Faraday across a table. The group is: John Wrottesley (seated left); J P Gassiot (seated, centre left) W.R.Grove (standing) and Michael Faraday (seated, right).

The scene is an interior with a marble fireplace in the background over which is a mirror. A candlestick and clock rest on the mantle. Green patterned wallpaper and a framed pattern design can be seen to the left and a bell-pull to the right. Resting on the table is a wooden pen tray with a glass ink bottle, red sealing wax and quills. To the right of this a glass laboratory bottle. A yellow and red cloth is positioned by Faraday's right hand in which he holds a rolled sheet of paper.

The overall depiction of Faraday is similar to that of Blaikley's portrait which may have been used as a source image.