Art and Architecture During the Reign of George III

By Caroline Agid

Thesis

George III was crucial to advances in art and architecture in the latter half of the eighteenth century, most significantly in Great Britain, though his impact can be found throughout Britain’s former colonies.

Arguments to Prove Thesis

Quick Biography

Born June 4, 1738 at Norfolk House in St. James’s Square.

Son of Frederick, Prince of Wales.

Grandson of George II.

First of Hanoverian Line to be born in England***

Education

TutorsWilliam ChambersLord Bute

Art/Architecture as equals to the other disciplines.

Books at his disposalPalladio’s Quattro Libri**Royal CollectionsThe Origins of Buildings and Orders

Art Commissions and CollectionsArt from outside of Great Britain

Joseph Smith- British Consul in VeniceGrand Tours

Art from within Great BritainThomas GainsboroughBritish painting stylesNew State CoachBenjamin West

Principal Painter in Ordinary to the King John Shackleton, Allan Ramsay*, Sir Joshua Reynolds,

and Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Royal Academy of Art 1768

Architecture CommissionsWilliam Chambers

Richmond Palace (redesign- never executed)Somerset House*- public building Joint Architect to the Board of Works (Nov. 1761)Pavilion for King Christian VII of DenmarkRoyal Observatory

Robert AdamWorked far more extensively for private patrons Joint Architect to the Board of Works (Nov. 1761)Buckingham House remodel

Architecture (continued)

John Yenn (Pupil of William Chambers)Clerk of the Works at Buckingham House and

Kensington PalaceWork at Windsor Castle

Influence?PalladioThe Idea of ChivalryBritish Pride

LegacyGeorgian architecture

Attempts at Architecture

Since he had architectural training, George III did draft and study from architecture books. Before he fell ill, his drawings were quite impressive.

Source Analysis

Primary Sources

Collections of George III’s architectural drawings

Commissioned paintings of Thomas Gainsborough

Royal Residences, other buildings

Secondary Sources

The Architect King: George III and the Culture of the Enlightenment by David Watkin

George III & Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting, and Court Taste Edited by Jane Roberts (specifically the Essay by Jonathan Marsden on patronage and collecting)

King George III by John Brooke

Interesting/Surprising Findings

King George I and King George II both were art patrons- more than given credit for.

Not allowed to use money from Duchy of Cornwall because he was never the son of a reigning king- which is who the money is reserved for. This put a limit on his commissioning budget.

George III, at a young age, was actually really talented at drafting.

Influence on Understanding the Monarchy

So much focus centered on the political side of his reign

Thousands of books given to create a public library- full of art and architecture.

Establishment of Royal Academy of Art.

Buckingham House/Palace

Growth of Britain’s Art and Architecture collection

The End