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King George IV

(1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30

Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 274 portraits
George, Prince of Wales was given no official duties by his father King George III. Jockeying for power, he sought to undermine the King by siding with the Whig opposition led by Charles James Fox. When the King went temporarily insane in 1788 William Pitt, the Tory Prime Minister, proposed a restricted Regency to protect the King's interests. The King's recovery three months later ended the 'Regency Crisis'. The Regency Bill was revived during the King's final illness. George was sworn Regent in 1811 and crowned King in 1820. Vain, self-indulgent and debauched he was, however, a man of exceptional taste and style who is best remembered for his magnificent patronage of the arts.

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King George IV, by Richard Cosway - NPG 5890

King George IV

by Richard Cosway
watercolour on ivory, circa 1780-1782
NPG 5890

'A representation of the famous battle at Smith in the Bottom, near Croydon ...', by James Gillray, published by  Samuel William Fores - NPG L269.A4.01

'A representation of the famous battle at Smith in the Bottom, near Croydon ...'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 10th June 1788
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.A4.01

King George IV, by H. de Janvry - NPG 1761

King George IV

by H. de Janvry
wash and stipple with white lead heightening on ivory, 1793
NPG 1761

King George IV, by Sir Thomas Lawrence - NPG 123

King George IV

by Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, circa 1814
On display in Room 15 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 123

King George IV, after Sir Thomas Lawrence - NPG 2503

King George IV

after Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, circa 1815, based on a work of 1815
NPG 2503

King George IV, by Johann Paul Georg Fischer, after  Sir Thomas Lawrence - NPG 6295

King George IV

by Johann Paul Georg Fischer, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, before 1875, based on a work of 1815
NPG 6295

King George IV, by Thomas Wyon Jr, after  Sir Thomas Lawrence - NPG 5579

King George IV

by Thomas Wyon Jr, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
silver medal with ribbon, 1816
NPG 5579

King George IV, by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey - NPG 316a(53)

King George IV

by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, pen and ink, circa 1821
NPG 316a(53)

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; King George IV when Prince of Wales, by Richard Houston, published by  Robert Sayer, after  Robert Pyle - NPG D33075

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; King George IV when Prince of Wales

by Richard Houston, published by Robert Sayer, after Robert Pyle
mezzotint, mid 1760s
NPG D33075

King George IV; Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, by Robert Laurie, published by  Robert Sayer - NPG D14965

King George IV; Frederick, Duke of York and Albany

by Robert Laurie, published by Robert Sayer
mezzotint, published 10 January 1772
NPG D14965

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