Milton Visiting Galileo when a Prisoner of the Inquisition
Solomon Hart · 1847
Why it's great
The English poet John Milton visits the aging Italian astronomer Galileo, who is held under house arrest by the Inquisition. Solomon Hart, the first Jewish member of the Royal Academy, painted this scene of two great minds meeting. It celebrates the courage of thinking freely. It's a moving image.
🏛️ Part of history
The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment (1600–1789) — The poet John Milton visits Galileo, who was held by the Church for saying the Earth moves around the Sun.
Where to see it
📍 Wellcome CollectionLondon, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Solomon Alexander Hart was born in Plymouth, England, to a Jewish family and trained in London. In 1840 he became the first Jewish member of the Royal Academy. He painted history scenes, portraits and pictures of Jewish life. He died in London in 1881.
