Artwork
King George III of Great Britain
King George III of Great Britain is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joshua Reynolds. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts George III of Great Britain as its main subject, rendered in a portrait format. As a portrait, it seeks to capture the likeness and presence of the sitter. The representation of the king underscores his role as a royal figure, conveying the dignity and authority associated with his position.
History & Provenance
The work was created during the early years of the monarch's reign, capturing his likeness shortly after his accession to the throne.
Sir Joshua Reynolds executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of King George III in 1765. The work was created during the early years of the monarch's reign, capturing his likeness shortly after his accession to the throne. While specific details regarding the original commission or the immediate ownership chain following its completion are not provided in the available records, the painting has entered a major public collection.
It is currently held by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the institution's permanent holdings. The canvas measures 238 cm in height and 145 cm in width, reflecting the grand scale typical of royal portraiture from this period.
The painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark, as recorded in the Wikidata entry for the work, which lists the museum as both its collection and location. No inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources. Likewise, no exhibition history is documented in the materials supplied.
The portrait, an oil on canvas by Joshua Reynolds dated 1765, measures 238.0 cm in height and 145.0 cm in width according to the same Wikidata record.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1765 by Joshua Reynolds, is a portrait of King George III of Great Britain. It is held in the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.
Technique & Style
Reynolds employed chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark, to create depth and emphasize the subject. The painting's use of light and shadow, characteristic of the Rococo style, highlights the king's face and clothing against a dark background.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter who specialised in portraits.
