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King George VI

11 of 562 portraits of King George VI

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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King George VI

by Leon Underwood
chased bronze figure, 1937
33 1/8 in. x 16 7/8 in. (840 mm x 430 mm) overall
Given by the artist's son, Garth Underwood, 1996
Primary Collection
NPG 6356

On display in Room 19 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • King George VI (1895-1952), Reigned 1936-52. Sitter associated with 562 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Leon Underwood (1890-1975), Artist. Artist or producer of 3 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The figure was begun as a portrait of Edward VIII but altered after the Abdication, to represent his brother.

Linked publicationsback to top

Events of 1937back to top

Current affairs

George VI becomes king. The younger brother of Edward VIII was crowned on the 12th May and the coronation was broadcast to Britain and the Empire on the radio. Edward becomes the Duke of Windsor, although the rank of 'Royal Highness' is not extended to Wallis Simpson.
Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister following Baldwin's retirement.

Art and science

Roland Penrose organises a tour of Picasso's painting Guernica to the UK. The painting, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, went on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in East London

International

Commercial airship travel is brought to an end with the 'Hindenberg Disaster'. The German airship exploded while landing in New Jersey. The radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's reaction has become legendary: 'Oh, the humanity!'
Japan invades China, killing about 25,000. Japanese Troops committed numerous atrocities against soldiers and civilians in what became known as the 'Rape of Nanking'.

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