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1 of 253523 objects
King George V (1865-1936) Signed and dated 1926
Oil on canvas | 240.0 x 145.8 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 404547
Richard Jack (1866-1952)
King George V (1865-1936) Signed and dated 1926
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A full-length portrait of King George V (1865-1936), standing, facing half to the left with his right hand resting on a balustrade, wearing the robes and collar of the Order of the Garter over the uniform of a Field Marshal and holding the hilt of his sword in his left hand. He also wears the Royal Victoria Chain, the Badge of the Order of the Bath.
In 1926 Richard Jack had been commissioned to paint a portrait of the King George V for Fulham Town Hall. The King had not been able to grant the artist sittings, but had lent uniform and insignia. However, Jack sent his painting to Buckingham Palace for the King's approval and the King liked what he saw, and immediately gave Jack sittings. The Illustrated London News of 22 May 1926 reported that the King was so pleased with the portrait that he and the Queen drove to Jack's studio in Earl's Court. "The Queen", said Mr Jack, "displayed great interest in my work, and sat and watched during the sitting… their Majesties came unattended and stayed for over an hour, which enabled me to catch an expression of the King and also memorise points of character. He was an excellent sitter…" The King was subsequently allowed to purchase the portrait. Two other very similar portraits of the King were completed by Jack c. 1926-7. One was the replacement for the Mayor of Fulham and the other, unveiled on 27 October 1926, was for the Junior Constitutional Club, on Piccadilly.
A companion portrait of Queen Mary (1867-1953) was painted the following year (RCIN 404548).
The frame is by Francis Draper of 67 Park Street, Grosvenor Square.Provenance
Purchased by King George V
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
240.0 x 145.8 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
262.3 x 168.8 x 9.8 cm (frame, external)
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