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George III when Prince of Wales

Unknown

1751

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Rococo painting Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

George III when Prince of Wales is a 1751 paint by Unknown, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1751 · Rococo painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a young man, George III, when he was Prince of Wales. He's dressed in fancy clothes and surrounded by symbols of power. You can see military trophies and lions carved into the frame, which was important in the mid-18th century. The frame's carvings reflect the young heir's status and education. The portrait is a copy from a larger group of paintings. To learn more about this style of portrait, look at the work of the museum: Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

This oil-on-canvas portrait of George III as Prince of Wales is set in a carved rococo frame attributed to the London workshop of Paul Petit. The frame features military trophies, winged dragons, demi-lions, and a lion pelt, with water gilding that contrasts polished and matte surfaces. It may have been presented to Thomas Osborne, 4th Duke of Leeds, and hung in the Dining Room at Hornby Castle until 1930. The elaborate design, likely created in consultation with the portrait painter, reflects the sitter’s status as heir to the throne.

Read the full account in the museum source.