Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue
King George III (1738-1820), Reigned 1760-1820
- Gallery portraits
- All known portraits
- Biography and References
King of Great Britain and Ireland; 1st son of Frederick, Prince of Wales (d. 1751); created Prince of Wales 20 April 1751; succeeded his grandfather as King 25 October 1760; married 8 September 1761 Princess Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; d. 29 January 1820 (eleven weeks after his Queen).
‘a tall, well-built man, in later life inclining to stoutness, with a good leg ... The most prominent features of his face were a high forehead, protruding eyes, a large nose, thick lips, and a dimpled chin ... His complexion was ruddy. His face was not handsome but he had a steady and open expression which commanded respect ... He cared little for clothes or for fashion, and dressed much the same as an old man as he had when young’ (John Brooke, 1974).
‘in the flower and bloom of youth George had a handsome, open and honest countenance; and with the favour that attends outward accomplishments of his age, he had none of those vices that fall under the censure of those who are past enjoying them themselves.’ (Horace Walpole, Memoirs of George III).
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Ingamells, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, National Portrait Gallery, 2004, 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.
‘a tall, well-built man, in later life inclining to stoutness, with a good leg ... The most prominent features of his face were a high forehead, protruding eyes, a large nose, thick lips, and a dimpled chin ... His complexion was ruddy. His face was not handsome but he had a steady and open expression which commanded respect ... He cared little for clothes or for fashion, and dressed much the same as an old man as he had when young’ (John Brooke, 1974).
‘in the flower and bloom of youth George had a handsome, open and honest countenance; and with the favour that attends outward accomplishments of his age, he had none of those vices that fall under the censure of those who are past enjoying them themselves.’ (Horace Walpole, Memoirs of George III).
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Ingamells, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, National Portrait Gallery, 2004, 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.