King George II
(1683-1760), Reigned 1727-60Early Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 58 portraits
The only son of George I, the future George II moved from Hanover to Britain to become Prince of Wales in 1714. Having long been at odds with his father, his London home became a meeting place for the king's political opponents. When crowned George II in 1727, he wanted to replace all the ministers who had served his father, but was persuaded against this on the astute diplomatic advice of his wife, Queen Caroline. She remained politically influential as George left state decisions to others, notably the Whig minister Sir Robert Walpole. A skilled military strategist, George II was the last British monarch to lead the troops into battle against the French at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
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after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1716-1760, based on a work of 1716
NPG 205
studio of Charles Jervas
oil on canvas, circa 1727
On display in the Hall at Beningbrough Hall
NPG 368
by Thomas Hudson
oil on canvas, 1744
On display in Room 11 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 670
by George Townshend, 4th Viscount and 1st Marquess Townshend
ink, 1751-1758
NPG 4855(5)
by George Townshend, 4th Viscount and 1st Marquess Townshend
pen and ink, 1751-1758
NPG 4855(2)
Group associated with the Moravian Church
attributed to Johann Valentin Haidt
oil on canvas, circa 1752-1754
On display in the Closet at Beningbrough Hall
NPG 1356
by or after Thomas Worlidge
oil on canvas, circa 1753
NPG 256
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D27411
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D27412
King George II when Prince of Hanover
by William Faithorne Jr, after Georg Wilhelm Lafontaine (Fountain, Fontaine)
mezzotint, 1700-1710 (1701 or before)
NPG D7906
by and published by Jacob Gole, after Johann Leonhard Hirschmann
mezzotint, circa 1700-1725
NPG D19016
King George II when Prince of Hanover
by and published by John Smith, after Johann Leonhard Hirschmann
mezzotint, 1706
NPG D11635
King George II when Prince of Hanover
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, before 1714
NPG D7905
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1717 (1716)
NPG D32866
King George II when Prince of Wales
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1717 (1716)
NPG D11638
King George II when Prince of Wales
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1717
NPG D7907
King George II when Prince of Wales
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1717-1727
NPG D11641
King George II when Prince of Wales
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1717-1727
NPG D11936
The Sovereigns of England, part 2
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34142
Related People
- Princess Amelia Sophia Eleanora (daughter)
- Anne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (daughter)
- Caroline Wilhelmina of Brandenburg-Ansbach (wife)
- Princess Caroline Elizabeth (daughter)
- Edward Augustus, Duke of York and Albany (grandson)
- Princess Elizabeth Caroline (granddaughter)
- Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales (son)
- Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn (grandson)
- King George I (father)
- King George III (grandson)
- Prince George William (son)
- Louisa, Queen of Denmark (daughter)
- Princess Mary of Hesse (daughter)
- Sophia Dorothea of Celle (mother)
- Sophia Dorothea, Queen of Prussia (sister)
- William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (son)
- Prince William Henry, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (grandson)
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