ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book describes the contexts in order to present the multifaceted background to William Hunter's fine art collection and his role as an anatomist; his social, political and economic positioning, as has been shown, all impacted on his activities as a collector. It focuses on the life of William Hunter, whose history has, to some extent, been obscured by his brother, as was noted. The book highlights the qualities of Hunter's collection of Italian paintings, suggesting that British art too be incorporated within his extensive and all-encompassing view of art derived from a close study of nature. It also focuses on Hunter's life in London from 1740 until 1783. There is a great deal of research potential in how William Hunter's collection is placed in the historiography of numismatic collecting in Britain generally, as well as in the realm of specialist interest.
