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Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick

by Marie Anne Bourlier, published by Edward Harding, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 19 May 1806
11 in. x 8 3/4 in. (280 mm x 221 mm) plate size; 15 1/8 in. x 11 in. (383 mm x 279 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1964
Reference Collection
NPG D33360

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Sir William Beechey (1753-1839), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 252 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
  • Marie Anne Bourlier (active circa 1800-1818), Painter and stipple engraver. Artist associated with 19 portraits.
  • Edward Harding (1755-1840), Engraver, publisher and librarian to Queen Charlotte. Artist associated with 186 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This dignified portrait by the court artist, Sir William Beechey, and the vibrant one by Sir Thomas Lawrence, represent the handsome appearance of the Prince of Wales' rejected wife. Contradicting his assessment of her as ugly, they indicate her strength of character. Approved by the sympathetic public, her impetuous nature earned her the prince's hatred. Equally disenchanted, she declared of her groom: 'He is very fat and nothing as handsome as his portrait.' In 1806 he instigated the 'Delicate Investigation', hoping to prove she had committed adultery in order to justify a divorce.

Placesback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1806back to top

Current affairs

William Pitt dies in January and his lifelong opponent Charles James Fox dies in September. Pitt is succeeded by William Wyndham, Baron Grenville, who forms the 'Ministry of all the Talents' coalition .
Prince of Wales instigates the 'Delicate Investigation'; a Parliamentary enquiry into claims that his wife Caroline had an illegitimate child.

Art and science

John Constable embarks on a formative tour of the Lakes and makes landscape studies of the Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn.
Turner exhibits his Thames views to acclaim at his own London gallery.
Humphrey Davy discovers the elements potassium and sodium by passing an electrical current through molten compounds.

International

Soprano Angelica Catalani arrives from Italy to make her London debut, amazing audiences with her showpiece arias.
Napoleon turns his forces east against Austria, Russia and Prussia and enjoys a wave of French victories.
British attack on Buenos Aires under General William Beresford fails.

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