Laurits Regner Tuxen (1853-1927)
The Coronation of King George V: King George V and Queen Mary Enthroned Signed and dated 1912
Oil on canvas | 112.1 x 86.8 x 1.9 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 407287
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An interior of Westminster Abbey with King George V and Queen Mary both seated on thrones almost in profile to the left; both crowned and holding sceptres in both hands; King George V in a gold gown and Queen Mary in white gown; standing guests behind and seated spectators upper centre.
The Danish artist Laurits Tuxen was commissioned to paint a personal record of the Coronation of King George V, which took place at Westminster Abbey on 22 June 1911. Henry Frederick Bacon was also asked to record the event (RCIN 407572). Once again Tuxen was seated towards the front of the Abbey, in a similar position to where he had observed and sketched the coronation of King Edward VII (RCINs 404466, 404487-8). It appears that the exact details of the commission were not confirmed, although Tuxen was clearly taken with the moment that the Prince of Wales pays homage to the newly crowned King and suggested that this would make a good subject (RCIN 404478). However, letters of October 1911 from Sir Douglas Dawson to Tuxen, then in Copenhagen, reveal that the King had second thoughts about the picture. Tuxen was unable to stay in London in October for sittings, and the King and Queen then left in November to attend the Coronation Durbar in Delhi, returning only in February 1912.
On his return to London, Tuxen was received by the King on 1 and 25 April, and a new plan was approved. In this second picture the King and Queen are seen at close quarters, enthroned, holding their sceptres. However, Tuxen’s heart was not in this further task and the picture is sketchy and feeble. The Queen’s likeness is weak. This is not due to lack of sittings; she sat for him six times, in May and June 1912. The King gave Tuxen, three sittings in April and May and finally on 8 June at St James’s Palace.
Text adapted from Laurits Tuxen: Portrait and History Painter, The National History Museum at Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, 1990Provenance
Commissoned by King George V
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
112.1 x 86.8 x 1.9 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
154.6 x 128.5 x 11.0 cm (frame, external)