King George II (1683–1760)
Thomas Hudson (Devonshire 1701 – Twickenham 1779)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1744 - 1779
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
749 x 622 mm (29 1/2 x 24 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 851734
Caption
This head and shoulder portrait is taken from the full-length by Hudson, the prime example of which is in the National Portrait Gallery. This was not a state portrait, but was commissioned by Sir John Willes, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas (whose dearest but thwarted hope was to become Lord Chancellor) for his court room. The King did not grant Hudson sittings for it.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, King George II (1683–1760) by Thomas Hudson (Devonshire 1701 – Twickenham 1779), circa 1744 (date of original). A head-and-shoulders portrait of a man, turned slightly to the right, head and gaze turned to the left, wearing court dress, fine lace cravat, blue waistcoat with gold braid down front, mostly covered by ermine cloak; ceremonial chain around shoulders, long grey wig falling over his right shoulder. A head-and-shoulders copy of a full-length portrait of the King, of 1744, a prime example of which is in the National Portrait Gallery.
Provenance
Part of the Bristol Collection. Acquired by the National Trust in 1956 under the auspices of the National Land Fund, later the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Credit line
Ickworth, The Bristol Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1956)
Makers and roles
Thomas Hudson (Devonshire 1701 – Twickenham 1779), artist