King George III

Sitterback to top

• King George III (1738-1820), Reigned 1760-1820. Sitter associated with 182 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Allan Ramsay (1713-1784), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 118 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, George was the first Hanoverian King to be born and bred in England. His reign from 1760 was one of the longest and most eventful in modern times. Although plagued by apparent bouts of insanity, he maintained a meticulous personal interest in government until 1811. A patron of the arts and sciences, he amassed an extensive library and fostered an interest in agriculture. His obstinate attitude towards the demands of the American colonies led to the loss of these territories and the close of the first British empire. This portrait shows the King in his coronation robes; it is one of the numerous replicas issued by Ramsay of the coronation portrait which he painted in 1761. Many of these found their way to Britain's newly acquired colonial territories where they represented the authority of the nascent British empire.

Related worksback to top

• NPG 224: Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (companion portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 27
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 63
• Hart-Davis, Adam, Chain Reactions, 2000, p. 69
• Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 192
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 241
• Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 180
• Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 139
• Williamson, David, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 135

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Georgian tour
• Kings and Queens tour
• On display at the Gallery