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| Image: Royal Collection |
Rooting through the Royal Collection online archive, I stumbled upon this charming portrait of the young Prince George of Cambridge (1814-1904) painted by John Lucas in 1836. George was born in Hanover but lived in England from 1830 to 1836. He lived with William IV and Princess Adelaide, who acquired this picture after it was supposedly painted for his tutor, the Reverend John Ryle Wood. In 1836 Wood wrote to Lucas 'I am sorry it was not in my power to send Prince George's portrait yesterday. The delay however has afforded me the opportunity of its being seen by the Princess Augusta and the Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg- and it is but just that I mention that their Royal Highnesses expressed themselves in the warmest terms of admiration for your picture'.
The year before this portrait was painted George was bestowed the Order of the Garter, which is depicted here. Very shortly after this picture was finished George left England where he entered the Hanoverian army.The sumptuous coming of age portrait was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1838. The portrait was so successful that Lucas was then commissioned to paint a full-length portrait of George's father.
I wonder whether this George will show any resemblance to the new heir when he grows up...
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| Image: mirror.com |
