1 OF 89

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick

1 of 89 portraits of Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick

by Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, 1804
55 1/4 in. x 44 in. (1403 mm x 1118 mm)
Purchased, 1867
Primary Collection
NPG 244

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Sitterback to top

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick (1768-1821), Queen of George IV. Sitter in 89 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Portrait painter, collector and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 682 portraits, Sitter in 25 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait of Caroline of Brunswick was painted after her separation from the Prince of Wales. Thomas Lawrence - rumoured to be among her lovers - depicts her here in defiant mood, her left hand and wedding ring deep in shadow. Her dress is of striking red velvet. Its ruff of fine muslin and 'rolled-up' sleeves, secured with gold braid, illustrate the popularity of the Renaissance as an influence on female court costume at this time. A tight whaleboned corset worn underneath this gown accentuates Caroline's figure. Her matching hat is trimmed with bird-of-paradise feathers and she is heavily rouged. Court fashions were often rather removed from those of the world outside; the outdated hooped dresses of the 1740s, for example, were still worn until around 1820.