The following are some extracts from the Minutes, relating to Pictures.
24th June, 1601. It is this daye by consent of a wholl Courte of Assistance ordered That if at any tyme hereafter any Mr or Governor of this company or any othr pˀsone or pˀsones free of the same mistery shall blott deface or put oute or cause to be blotted defaced or put oute any of the pictures of any of this Company nowe paynted or hereafter lawfully placed in any of the tables of pictures hangeinge in the Com̃on hall of this mistery wthout the Consent of a full Courte of Assistance That then hee or they so offendinge shall forfeyte and paye for every such offence xli the one half thereof to be to the use of the Chamberlen of the Cytie of London And the othr half to the use of the said mistery.
The above order was made in consequence of some members of the Court having painted out the faces on the pictures, and caused their own to be depicted in their stead.
28th June, 1604. This daye it is ordered that Mr Willm Martin Mr ffrederick Mr ffyneinge & Mr ffenton shall pˀsently conferre with Decreete concerninge the ffynisheinge of the tables of Picktures remayneinge wth him and if hee will finishe the same wth reason and drawe them to the Hall they are to compound wth him for the same if not the table is to be taken awaye from him.
10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered that the Kingꝭ picture shalbe by the said pˀnte Mrs boughte and pˀvided at the charge of this house.
| Item paid for his Matꝭ picture | iiijli | ||
| Item geven to the paynters man that broughte the said pycture | iis | vjd |
1st August, 1634. It is ordered that the 41 philosophers pictures shalbe rebeautified and repaired by Mr Greeneburye at the Costs of this house soe it exceede not xli.
The “forty-one philosophers” were former Masters of Anatomy and Examiners of Surgeons, who as they were from time to time appointed, might if they chose, have their portraits put in what was called “The Table of the Anatomy” (and which was, I think, one large picture containing the effigies of forty-one persons), and the practice undoubtedly was, as occasion arose, to paint a face on old shoulders; indeed, there are many notices to this effect, as also orders of Court for blotting out the “faces” of such as had become obnoxious, or who had been removed for misconduct.