John Wootton, one of the earliest native English painters, was extensively patronised by the Royal family during the reign of George II. Queen Caroline is known to have visited his studio in 1732, by which time he was already working for her son, Frederick, Prince of Wales.

This compositional sketch shows Wootton's charcertisticly lively handling of the brush and confidently capturing posture and movement. It loosely relates to the full-length equestrian portrait commissioned by Frederick, Prince of Wales, to celebrate the Battle of Dettingen (RCIN 407465). It was completed in 1744 by Thomas Hudson and John Wootton and shows the Duke similarly mounted and posed, wearing the frock uniform of the 1st Guards, with the star and riband of the Garter. It would seem from this oil-sketch that Wootton was planning a different version of the 1744 composition, presumably also full-length but to include two senior officers with the Duke. Dated around 1745, the sitter, though still young was already famous for his campaigns in Germany and defeat of the Jacobites.

Text adapted from The First Georgians: Art and Monarchy 1714-1760, London, 2014