King George V (1865-1936) Reigned 1910-36

Sir Samuel Luke (after) Fildes

Oil on canvas

1912-1935

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King George V (1865-1936) Reigned 1910-36
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Other
    City: looted or destroyed

    This state portrait of King George V is a faithful copy by an unknown artist of an original by Samuel Luke Fildes in the Royal Collection. Many copies by various artists were made during the reign of both Edward VII and George V for display in British embassies and legations across the world.

    Edward VII took the unusual step of sitting for his portrait at the studio of the society painter Luke Fildes in London in 1901-02. His Queen consort, Alexandra, also sat for Fildes at Buckingham Palace in 1903. The portraits were so well received that Fildes was later invited to paint the state portrait of Edward’s second son George V, when he acceded to the throne in 1910. This was likewise considered a success. The companion state portrait of his wife, Queen Mary, was painted by William Llewellyn.

  • About the artist
    Sir Samuel Luke Fildes, commonly known as Luke Fildes, wasas an illustrator before turning to portrait painting. He was commissioned by the novelist Charles Dickens to illustrate his last novel ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’, published in 1870. In 1874 Fildes’ large painting of ‘Applicants for Admission to a Casual Ward’, showing the destitute queuing in hope of a night of shelter, brought him overnight fame, when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy, accompanied by a quote from Dickens. Fildes continued to paint social realist subjects, but it was as a portrait painter that he found fame and fortune. His painting of the Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra) of 1894 led to a series of royal commissions.
  • Explore
    People
    George V (1865 - 1936)
    Places
    Subjects
    royal portrait, bear, man, ceremonial costume, ermine, robe, tassel, fur, ribbon (as Subject - costume accessory), livery collar, crown, King, sword, curtain
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    Sir Samuel Luke (after) Fildes
    Title
    King George V (1865-1936) Reigned 1910-36
    Date
    1912-1935
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 91.50 cm, width: 66.00 cm
    GAC number
    0/661