James Hutton, 1726–1797. Geologo

Sir Henry Raeburn captures the 'Father of Modern Geology' looking surprisingly relaxed for a man who basically figured out the Earth is ancient. Dressed in a practical brown suit rather than fancy aristocratic garb, Hutton sits beside a table cluttered with papers and rock samples—the tools of his trade. His gaze drifts off into the distance, perhaps contemplating 'deep time' or just waiting for his tea. This Romantic-era portrait is a wonderfully unpretentious look at a genius who realized the Earth was millions of years old, way before anyone else caught on.

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