King William IV

Inscriptionback to top

Signed (lower right): R. Easton
Inscribed on the back of the original backboard in ink, in an old hand: King William IV
Also on the backboard are two old labels for the framers, John Lane of 22 Albert Terrace, and for William Biggs of 31 Conduit Street.

This portraitback to top

William is shown wearing the star, badge and sash of the Garter, and an unidentified order around his neck. From the evidence of the sitter's age and a comparison with other portraits of him, this water-colour must date from the very end of William's life. Another almost identical version is in the Royal Library at Windsor.

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, bluish-grey eyes, grey hair. Dressed in a white stock, white shirt and waistcoat, with a red ribbon and white and gold order at his neck, and a blue sash and grey and silver star, and a greyish-blue coat. Seated in a red and gilt chair. Salmon-pink curtain and grey pillar covering most of background; glimpses of blue sky top left and right.

Provenanceback to top

Hugo Cragoe, purchased from him, 1970.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for King William IV