This is one of the numerous studies for the State Portrait of King George VI commissioned, together with a pendant portrait of Queen Elizabeth, from the artist in 1938 (RCIN 403422, 403423).

Numerous sketches for the portraits exist and are testament to the painstaking attention to detail that Kelly took over the composition of these works.  Although after the outbreak of war, he was invited by the Queen to move into Windsor Castle to complete the commission. Here the artist remained as a convivial and witty guest of the Royal Family, and it was noted by the historian, Kenneth Rose in his book, Kings and Courtiers, that it was said that ‘to prolong his stay he would steal down to the studio at dead of night to erase the previous day’s work’. Indeed, this five-year sojourn at the Castle, might explain the abundance of studies, many of which were sold in the studio sale by Christies on 8 February 1980. 

Despite being a patient sitter, it is recorded that the King didn’t like posing and he didn’t pose for long. Derek Hudson, in his Life of Sir Gerald Kelly, recounted that …’the king didn’t like wearing his coronation robes… he put these on, but he was self-conscious and uncomfortable.’ 

In the finished portrait the King wears Coronation robes, although here and in the majority of studies he is attired in robes of the Order of the Garter, with the Great George suspended from the Garter collar (see RCIN 407514). An over half-length portrait in the National Portrait Gallery is quite close to this study (c. 1941, ACC 5286); another half-length portrait is in the collection of Trinity College, Cambridge (TC Oils P77).

The painting has been extended along all sides and the folded and worn edges of the tacking margins and tack holes are noticeable, particularly at the bottom where there is no paint. We are not clear what the artist’s intentions were in doing this and the width of blank canvas make the portrait unbalanced and appear uneasy, however, it may allow the viewer insight into Kelly’s personality and his artistic practice.