Charles Scarburgh (1624–1694) was educated at Cambridge University, where he devoted all his spare time to studying medicine and mathematics. During the civil war he supported the royal cause, and was thrown out of Cambridge as a result. He finished his education at Oxford University, where he was taught by the famous physician William Harvey, who became a lifelong friend. Scarburgh was one of the original fellows of the Royal Society, and was appointed first physician to Charles II, by whom he was knighted in 1669. He attended Charles II in his final illness.

The portrait has been attributed to Jean Demetrius, c.1660. The open book shows a page from a book on human anatomy. In the background is a view across Rome with the dome of St Peter’s basilica in the background.