Frederick, Duke of York and Albany; King George IV

Sittersback to top

• Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), Son of George III; Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Sitter associated with 70 portraits.
• King George IV (1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30. Sitter associated with 182 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Thomas R. Poole (active 1787-died 1821). Artist of 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

George, Prince of Wales and Frederick, Duke of York were the two oldest sons of George III. The year of this double portrait - 1795 - was significant for both. George (on the right) embarked on an arranged marriage with Caroline of Brunswick which immediately proved a disaster. Frederick was promoted to field marshal after returning from the Napoleonic Wars, even though he had proved an ineffective leader. Frederick's military promotion made George jealous as his father the king would not allow him a position in the army. This is one of Poole's earliest known waxes. He modeled a number of portraits of George IV in the following decades and, as early as 1791, was styling himself 'Medallion Modeler to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.'

Linked publicationsback to top

• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 241
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 201

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Portraits in wax