George II (1683–1760)

Image credit: Coram in the care of the Foundling Museum

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Notes

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George II was born in Hanover in 1683 and became King of Great Britain in 1727. He granted the Royal Charter establishing the Foundling Hospital in 1739, perhaps under the influence of his wife Queen Caroline. George donated £2,000 to the Hospital in 1749 and became its patron in 1758.

John Shackleton was a London-based portrait painter who became Principal Painter in Ordinary to George II in 1749. He was elected a Governor of the Foundling Hospital in 1758 and presented this painting to the Hospital that year to celebrate the Royal patronage.

Foundling Museum

London

Title

George II (1683–1760)

Date

1758

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 236.2 x W 143.5 cm

Accession number

FM54

Acquisition method

presented by the artist, 1758

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Signed, lower right: Shakleton [sic] Pinxit Inscribed, bottom left: His Majesty King George the Second

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Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square, London, Greater London WC1N 1AZ England

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