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

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

This state portrait of 'King George V' after Luke Fildes (1843-1927) is one of many copies, made for British Embassy’s and legations, of the original work in the Royal Collection. Fildes, the son of a Manchester shipping agent, had already painted state portraits of the parents of George V, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and so seemed the natural choice when George acceded to the throne in 1910.

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.

People

George V (1865 - 1936)

Places

Subjects

royal portrait, beard, moustache, man, ceremonial costume, ermine, robe, military uniform, riband, tassel, ribbon (as Subject - costume accessory), livery collar, crown, Order of the Star of India, Royal Victorian Order, Order of St. Patrick, Order of St. Michael & St. George, Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, King, admiral, sword, curtain, cushion

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Sir Samuel Luke (after) Fildes

Title

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

Date

1912-1935

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 280.00 cm, width: 183.00 cm

Acquisition

Official state portrait copy supplied via Ministry of Works

GAC number

18315