As a companion portrait to that of George III by West (also in the Royal Collection), and painted in the same year, this pair of state portraits are first recorded hanging in the King's Audience Chamber at Hampton Court. The Queen is here shown standing in a fictitious interior; her crown sits on the right hand side and, when displayed beside that of George III, it balances the King’s crown that sits on the left hand side. The background to this painting depicts Queen Charlotte’s thirteen children to date (Prince Alfred and Princess Amelia were born later) and thereby emphasises the domestic side to her life and her role as mother. The youngest child, Prince Octavius, who was born on 23 February 1779, is at the center of the group, wearing baby clothes and riding in a little phaeton. He is pulled along by Prince Ernest and pushed by Prince Adolphus. Prince Augustus is lying on the ground playing with a dog; Princesses Mary and Sophia stand behind the baby, and the eldest Princesses Charlotte, Augusta, and Elizabeth stand behind. On the right are Prince William in the uniform of a midshipman, with the ribbon and star of the Thistle, and Prince Edward. On the left, wearing Windsor uniform with the ribbon and star of the Garter, stand the Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick. Also in the background is a view of the south front of Windsor Castle. The long, narrow building in front of the castle is Queen’s Lodge, which was built to house the Royal Family in the late 1770’s because the castle had fallen into disrepair during previous reigns. The lodge was later demolished by George IV.
Queen Charlotte by Benjamin West, 1779, The Royal Collection (UK)
#ArtHistory #Rococo
