Miniature Painting Of A Royal Portrait Of George Iv, Prince Of Wales, By Reynolds

Antique Miniature – Portrait of King George IV – Star of the Garter – Late 18th/Early 19th Century – Oval under glass – 10 x 8 cm. This miniature depicts King George IV (1762–1830), shown in three-quarter bust view, after a composition widely disseminated by the print by Samuel William Reynolds. The sovereign appears in a red coat with a dark collar, a tied white cravat, and wears the large star of the Garter, the emblematic distinction of the British monarchy, on his chest. The bluish-grey background, delicate modeling of the face, and powdered hair create a typical image of reduced official portraits intended for the cabinet and collection. The portrait possesses a striking presence, where the artist focuses the effect on the gaze and the subtlety of the complexion. The carefully rendered details of the costume and the insignia immediately convey the impression of a formal portrait in an intimate format. The piece reflects a late 18th-early 19th-century transitional aesthetic, a time when royal iconography circulated widely through engravings and their reproductions. It is based on a print associated with Samuel William Reynolds (a British engraver), itself derived from a prototype court portrait. This "after an engraving" connection is typical for miniatures intended for distribution and linked to Regency imagery. French or British school (or a work intended for the Anglophile market), late 18th-early 19th century (circa 1795-1825), Regency period/early reign. Painted miniature (gouache/watercolor), oval, under glass. 10 x 8 cm (overall, oval). Good overall condition. Signs of wear and minor alterations are visible, including some spotting/oxidation in places. Old mount on the reverse with tabs; old cardboard closure with remnants of blue paper. Oval gilt brass frame with fine guilloché decoration, under glass.