King George IV

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

King George IV

by Thomas Wyon Jr, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
silver medal with ribbon, 1816
1 3/8 in. (35 mm) diameter
Given by Lloyd Tyrell-Kenyon, 5th Lord Kenyon and his sister, the Hon. Mrs Desmond Cooke, 1983
Primary Collection
NPG 5579

Sitterback to top

King George IV (1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30. Sitter associated with 273 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Portrait painter, collector and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 689 portraits, Sitter in 25 portraits.
Thomas Wyon Jr (1792-1817), Medallist. Artist associated with 2 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG 5575: King George IV (from same die)

Linked publicationsback to top

Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 242
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 203

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1816back to top

Current affairs

Marriage of Princess Charlotte to Leopold I.
Income Tax abolished.
Unsuccessful Spa Fields Riot led by the ultra-radical Arthur Thistlewood which aimed to attack the Tower of London and the Bank of England and set up a ruling 'Committee of Public Safety' following the French model.

Art and science

Jane Austen publishes Emma.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal completed.

International

British Government buys the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Acropolis in Athens by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, and brought to England between 1803 and 1812. Their acquisition prompts support from Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin Robert Haydon and condemnation from Lord Byron.
Slave rebellion fails in Barbados; four hundred slaves are executed.

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