King George I

1 portrait

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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King George I

by John Michael Rysbrack
terracotta bust, circa 1720-1735
24 in. x 20 1/8 in. (610 mm x 510 mm) overall
Purchased, 1960
Primary Collection
NPG 4156

On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • King George I (1660-1727), Reigned 1714-27. Sitter associated with 52 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 15 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In this idealised bust, the sculptor Rysbrack has represented George I wearing a laurel wreath and Roman armour that symbolised the king’s power, wisdom and authority. They also refer to George’s position as Elector of Hanover, one of the princes who selected the Emperor to rule the union of German states known as the Holy Roman Empire. More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

Linked publicationsback to top

Events of 1720back to top

Current affairs

Collapse of the South Sea Company's shares causes financial crisis in London and ruins many investors. Their rapid inflation and the speculation mania it had encouraged become known as the South Sea Bubble. Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend returns to the Whig ministry. Robert Walpole 1st Earl of Orford, who had resigned in 1717, also returns and restores public credit in December.

Art and science

Entrepreneur Ralph Allen is appointed to take over the Cross and Bye Posts, which manage mail not going via London, leading to his eventual reform of the entire British postal system.
History painter James Thornhill is appointed Serjeant Painter to the King and becomes the first British artist to receive a knighthood.


International

Treaty of the Hague signed between Britain, France, Austria, the Dutch Republic and Spain ending the War of the Quadruple Alliance.
In Lhasa, the Dalai Lama accepts Chinese imperial protection, which lasts until 1911.
Two political parties emerge in Sweden's parliament and become known as the Hats and the Caps.

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