Stained glass window panel of George III, seated on a throne, wearing full-length, ermine-lined robes of state (after a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds).

James Pearson (c.1740-1837) was a Dublin-born glass painter, based in London. He worked alongside his wife, Eglington Margaret, who was also a glass painter. Pearson made this stained glass panel in 1793, and subsequently repaired it in 1807. In 1885 it was repaired again by G. Bradley and F. Bunce.

This glass painting, after the portrait of George III by Joshua Reynolds that was hung in the RA in 1780, was exhibited in 1793 at the Pearsons' home on Great Newport Street, along with several other pieces. Two years later, it was sold in a large sale of the Pearsons' work. This sale/exhibition was reviewed in the press, where this portrait was described as 'absolute magic', and as 'a splendid ornament for Carlton House' (21 April 1795). However, it seems unlikely that it was bought by the Prince Regent at this time, as the painting appeared in an auction held by Stevenson and Matchett in 1805. It is unknown who bought the painting at this juncture, or how it subsequently entered the collection.

The glass panel was, for a time, installed in the King's Dining Room at Windsor Castle. It was set into a niche above the fireplace, which is unusual as there appears to have been no light source behind the panel. There are mirrors on either side of the panel, perhaps to reflect light onto the glass. The glass panel can be seen in a photograph of the room taken in the early 1890s (RCIN 2935719).

Information kindly supplied Dr Sarah Baylis.