George Frideric Handel
(1685-1759), ComposerEarly Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 36 portraits
Born in Saxony, Handel moved to London in 1712 from the court in Hanover. By 1714 he found himself working for his old master, now George I, for whom he composed the Water Music in 1717. For the next fifty years Handel poured out opera, oratorios and concertos. His Messiah, first performed in Dublin in 1742, was a national institution within his lifetime. In 1751 Handel's eyesight started to fail in one eye due to a cataract which was operated on by the charlatan doctor Chevalier Taylor. This led to uveitis and subsequent loss of vision. More than three thousand attended Handel's funeral, he was given full state honours and buried in Westminster Abbey
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1740s
NPG 2151
by Francis Kyte
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 1742
NPG 2152
by Unknown artist
terracotta bust, circa 1755-1780
NPG 878
after Thomas Hudson
oil on canvas, 1756-1800, based on a work of 1756
NPG 8
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D35303
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D3213
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D3214
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D3215
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D3216
by Jacobus Houbraken, by Hubert-François Gravelot (né Bourguignon)
line engraving, 1738
NPG D3217
by and sold by John Faber Jr, after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, published 1749
NPG D35304
by and sold by John Faber Jr, after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, published 1749
NPG D13865
after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, published circa 1749
NPG D19032
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1750s?
NPG D3207
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1750s?
NPG D3208
after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, (circa 1750-1775)
NPG D20310
after Thomas Hudson
photograph, (1756)
NPG D35305
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after Giovanni Battista Cipriani
line engraving, published 1784
NPG D3204
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