King George V

Sitterback to top

• King George V (1865-1936), Reigned 1910-36. Sitter associated with 317 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Henry Maximilian ('Max') Beerbohm (1872-1956), Writer and caricaturist. Artist associated with 19 portraits, Sitter associated with 18 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Dating from the year after George V's accession to the throne, this appears to be one of the earliest drawings of the King by Beerbohm. Although the pop eyes and looming presence are hardly kind, the artist had some sympathy for the King, writing in 1914 that he was 'such a piteous, good, feeble, heroic little figure'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 242

Subject/Themeback to top

• Sleeping