King George the Fourth
Not on view
This print reproduces an important portrait of George IV that Sir Thomas Lawrence painted in 1822 shortly after the subject became king (now Wallace Collection, London). Facing the viewer, George sits on a sofa, extends his left arm along its rail and wears a dark fur-lined frogged coat and breeches. The Garter Star is pinned to his breast, a jeweled Garter encircles one calf, and the Order of the Golden Fleece hangs on a ribbon about his neck. At right, gloves emerge from an over-turned top-hat, as though hurriedly put down after a walk. Papers on the sofa, together with an ink-stand on the ormolu table at right hint at official duties while a landscape behind adds atmospheric movement. The image demonstrates Lawrence's masterly ability to use pose and dress to convey personality, creating an inviting image that also reminds us of the subject's rank.
