Description
King George III commissioned more than 80 paintings from West, including this portrait that celebrates his military leadership by presenting him in a suit of armor. Such an image likely was intended to bolster George III's reputation, which had been tarnished the previous year when he was forced to formally recognize American independence.
Provenance
Dr. T. Fisher, Sidcup, Kent, England (1910); (S.T. Smith & Son, London, England); (Vose Gallery, Boston, MA) (1914); Otto Miller, Cleveland, OH (1919); Elsa Woolworth Miller, Cleveland, OH; (Sale: Kende Galleries at Gimbel Brothers, New York, October 14, 1944) (October 14, 1944); Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. Robbins, Shaker Heights, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1952); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1952-)
Accession Number
1952.17
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
Framed: 152 x 127 x 9.5 cm (59 13/16 x 50 x 3 3/4 in.); Unframed: 126.5 x 101 cm (49 13/16 x 39 3/4 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. Robbins