George III, King of Great Britain

ArtistEngraved by William Pether English, ca. 1738-1821

ArtistAfter a painting by Thomas Frye English, ca. 1710-1762

ArtistPublished by John Boydell English, 1719 - 1804

ArtistPublished by Henry Parker English, ca. 1725-1809

DateOctober 1, 1762

MediumMezzotint

DimensionsSheet: 24 3/16 x 18 3/16 in. (61.4 x 46.2 cm)
Plate mark: 19 7/8 x 13 7/8 in.

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.22

On View

Not on view

Collections

Works on Paper

SignedEngraved in the plate, LL above the title "FRYE ad vivum delineavit" and at LR "William Pether ƒecit." Engraved in the plate below the title "Publish'd according to Act of Parliament. Octr. [superscript r] 1.1762. & sold by Henry Parker in Cornhill and John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside."

InscribedEngraved legend at the bottom, within the plate, "HIs Most Sacred Majesty GEORGE III. King of Great Britain etc."(in a combination of elaborate cursive and printed fonts, the term 'etc'. is the last word of the legend text not an abbreviation by this cataloguer). In pencil in LR of recto, printed "C.M _(?) SKK"

DescriptionBust length portrait of George III (1738-1820, succeeded to the throne on Oct. 25, 1760, crowned Sept. 22, 1761). Head in 3/4 view turned to his left. Wearing the mantle or robe, star and collar or chain of office of the Order of the Garter, described as "the pinnacle honour of the honours system in the United Kingdom. Membership is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales and no more than 24 members or Companions..." (see file).

The collar is gold and composed of gold knots alternating with enamelled medallions showing a rose encircled by the garter (represented by a ribbon with buckle). The star, pinned to the left breast, is an "enamelled depiction of the shield of St.George's cross encircled by the Garter, which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones."
Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.ProvenanceGlens Falls, NY, Doyle's
Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust