King William IV

Sitterback to top

• King William IV (1765-1837), Reigned 1830-7. Sitter associated with 134 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist associated with 266 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Annotated: 'Drawing from King William IV with a Camera Lucida ten days after his accession to the throne'. The bust was completed the next year, and is at Penshurst Place.
Chantrey designed the profile of the king that appeared on the coinage, possibly based on this drawing. He also made a bust of the king, that was widely praised for preserving 'a very strong likeness, and without gross flattery and to give a kingly air to it'. King William was George IV's brother, and is said to have treated Chantrey as a friend, giving him an official role as royal sculptor in 1831. Chantrey was knighted during his reign.

Related worksback to top

• NPG 316a(141): King William IV (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 508
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 664

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• From Pencil to Chisel: Sir Francis Chantrey’s Portrait Drawings (2 April 2011 - 20 November 2011)

Portrait setback to top

• Preliminary drawings for busts and statues by Sir Francis Chantrey, circa 1807-40