Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Princess of Wales (1719–1772)
after Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence 1684 - Aix-en-Provence 1745)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1770 - 1799
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
743 x 615 mm
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 851963
Caption
The sitter was the daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. She married Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1736, and bore him nine children, their eldest son, becoming George III. This is a harder copy of the head-and-shoulders of a whole-length by Jean-Baptiste Van Loo in the Royal Collections. It was painted as a pendant to that of her husband, and both were signed and dated 1742. J-B Vanloo came to England from October 1737 to December 1742, and enjoyed considerable success, painting the highest in the land, from Sir Robert Walpole to the Prince and Princess of Wales. He painted relatively little in his last years here because of ill-health, which finally forced him to leave the country.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Princess of Wales (1719–1772), after Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence 1684 - Aix-en-Provence 1745) Half-length portrait, full front in painted oval surround. Blue eyes, grey hair with pearl bandeau. Low-cut grey ermine trimmed dress, embroidered and jewelled. Red velvet coat with ermine and white fur trimming. Lace cuffs. Gold cord, loosely knotted at waist and looped at right shoulder.
Provenance
By descent to Rear Admiral Frederick William Fane Hervey, 4th Marquess of Bristol (1863-1951), on whose death valued for probate; accepted in lieu of tax by HM Treasury, and transferred to the National Trust in 1956
Credit line
Ickworth, The Bristol Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1956)
Makers and roles
after Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence 1684 - Aix-en-Provence 1745) , artist