Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick

Sitterback to top

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

Artistback to top

• James Lonsdale (1777-1839), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 106 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Caroline, the daughter of the Duke of Brunswick, was the woman the Prince of Wales (later George IV) was forced to marry in order to liquidate his debts. They separated after only a year of marriage and Caroline returned to the continent. This portrait of her was painted about the time of her return to England for her so-called 'trial', the proceedings of which were instigated by the king who wished to divorce her. It was painted by Lonsdale who styled himself as 'Principal Painter in Ordinary to the Queen' and shows Caroline before an open book with a view out onto a park. The arrangement of her hands is devised so that her wedding ring is on display, a deliberate attempt perhaps to emphasise her fidelity to her marriage vows.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Birkett, Dea; Morris, Jan (foreword), Off the Beaten Track: Three Centuries of Women Travellers, 2004 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 7 July to 31 October 2004), p. 49
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 105
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 98
• Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 143
• Williamson, David, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 139

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Off the Beaten Track (7 July 2004 - 31 October 2004)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Hats and head-attire
• Hats and head-attire
• Reading