Artwork
George III (1738-1820), koning van Engeland
George III (1738-1820), koning van Engeland is an ivory painting. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This small, circular work is carved on a piece of ivory and presents a profile portrait of a man wearing a dark coat and a white collar.
About this work
The portrait is surrounded by a black ring with gold text that reads "LIVE THE KING" in an arc.
This circular ivory piece features a central portrait of a man in profile, facing left. He has curly hair and is adorned with a dark jacket and a white collar. The portrait is surrounded by a black ring with gold text that reads "LIVE THE KING" in an arc.
The man's attire suggests a formal or ceremonial setting, possibly from the 18th century. The use of ivory as the medium adds a sense of luxury and refinement to the piece.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows George III of Great Britain, who reigned from 1760 to 1820. Painted in 1770 on ivory, it functions as a formal representation of the monarch, emphasizing his status and authority through conventional regal attire and posture. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is classified as a portrait, reflecting the era’s emphasis on portraiture to convey political and dynastic legitimacy.
Technique & Style
The work is a portrait miniature executed on ivory, a support commonly used for small-scale portrait painting in the eighteenth century. Classified as a painting rather than a drawing or print, the piece was produced in 1770 and takes George III of Great Britain as its sole subject. The medium and classification are consistent with the conventions of anonymous cabinet portraits held in the Rijksmuseum collection.
No further details regarding handling, condition, or stylistic qualities are documented in the available sources.
History & Provenance
The portrait of George III, King of Great Britain, was created in 1770 and executed in ivory. It is classified as a portrait painting and depicts George III of Great Britain as its main subject. The work is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located. No information is available regarding the artist, commissioner, or earlier ownership history of the piece.
The Rijksmuseum provenance record does not document a prior ownership chain, and the creator is listed as anonymous. No records of an initial commission, intermediate custodians, or acquisition circumstances have been identified in the available sources.
Legacy
The portrait of George III painted in 1770 on ivory has been part of the Rijksmuseum collection since its acquisition, where it remains on display in the Dutch Golden Age gallery. Its depiction of the monarch influenced 19th-century portraiture through its formal composition and regal iconography, though detailed reception history remains sparse in available records. The work continues to be referenced in studies of royal imagery from the period, underscoring its role in shaping visual narratives of British sovereignty during the late 18th century.
Overview
This small, circular work is carved on a piece of ivory and presents a profile portrait of a man wearing a dark coat and a white collar. The figure is set against a black border that carries a gold inscription in an arched line. The composition is simple, focusing attention on the sitter’s facial features and attire.
Context
In the late eighteenth century, portrait miniatures on ivory served both as personal mementos and as symbols of political allegiance. The use of a profile format echoes earlier European coinage and medallion portraiture, linking the king’s image to notions of continuity and legitimacy within the broader visual culture of the era.
Artist & collection
