Frederick, Prince of Wales (1707-1751) c.1742-1751
Oil on canvas | 239.0 x 147.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405860
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The founder of the van Loo dynasty of painters was the Dutchman, Jacob van Loo (1614-70), who was obliged to flee Amsterdam after killing someone in a pub brawl. Having settled in Paris his son, Louis Abraham, and grandsons, Jean-Baptiste and Carle-Andre (1705-65), all made successful careers in France. In addition Jean-Baptise himself had two painter sons, Louis-Michel (1707-71) and Charles-Amedee-Philippe (1719-95). Jean-Baptiste trained as a religious and mythological painter in Italy with Benedetto Luti (1666-1724), before settling in Paris in 1719. He made a brief visit to England from 1737-42, where his success as a portrait painter annoyed Hogarth so much that it provoked him into talking up portraiture himself. This is a contemporary version of a portrait in the Royal Collection painted in 1742 (OM 536, 405311). The Prince is shown wearing robes of State with the collar and star of the Order of the Garter; his coronet rests on a table beside him; red curtains are draped behind him.
Provenance
Acquired by George IV and probably the painting recorded in store at Carlton House in 1816 (no 236) and 1819 (no 348)
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Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
239.0 x 147.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
299.8 x 181.3 x 6.5 cm (frame, external)