George I
by Georg Wilhelm Lafontaine
ca. 1720-27
Royal Collection Trust RCIN 405247
The Royal Collection Trust notes that the King is "wearing the ribband of the Garter; beside him is a table on which are the crown and sceptre; the Banqueting House is seen in the distance. This is not a state portrait but even so the simplicity of the costume and directness of presentation perhaps reflects the sitter's acknowledgement of the peculiar character of a constitutional monarchy. Including the Banqueting House in the background (rather than Westminster Abbey for example) reflects the magnificence of the British crown, but also reminds the viewer of the execution of Charles I, which took place there in 1649."
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2022
The Royal Collection Trust permits non-commercial use of this image by the Grub Street Project for academic/scholarly publication and research. No copyright or proprietary right is conveyed with the use of the image, and it may not be passed on for third-party use. In certain other jurisdictions this image is considered to be in the public domain.