King George III (1738-1820) Reigned 1760-1820

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Whitehall

Joshua Reynolds was the dominant artistic personality during the age of George III. He was born in Plympton, Devon. From 1750 to 1752 he studied the work of the Old Masters in Rome. Reynolds returned via Florence and Paris, and settled in London in 1753. In 1759 he painted a portrait of the future king, George, Prince of Wales (Royal Collection). After George’s accession the following year, Reynolds was dismayed to learn that Allan Ramsay had been made Principal Painter to the King. This marked the beginning of increasing hostility between Reynolds and the King. Nonetheless, by 1760 Reynolds had established himself as the leading portraitist. He became President of the Royal Academy in 1768 and was knighted the following year.

People

George III (1738 - 1820)

Places

Subjects

royal portrait, man, ceremonial costume, ermine, robe, wig, fur, ribbon (as Subject - costume accessory), livery collar, throne, sceptre, King

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Sir Joshua, (after) Reynolds

Title

King George III (1738-1820) Reigned 1760-1820

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 236.00 cm, width: 145.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Lady Crewe, June 1947

Provenance

Lady Crewe: lent March 1947, purchased June 1947

GAC number

287