George IV: Art and Spectacle

George IV was arguably the most magnificent of British monarchs and formed an unrivalled collection of art, much of which remains in the Royal Collection. Prince of Wales, named Prince Regent in 1811, following the illness of his father George III, and, from 1820, magnificent king, he purchased paintings, metalwork, textiles, furniture, watercolours, books and ceramics in vast numbers, many of these works by the finest artists of the day. Bringing together Dutch and Flemish masterpieces, magnificent portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence and Sir Joshua Reynolds, delicate French porcelain, intricate goldsmiths’ work and elegant books and drawings, this exhibition will present George IV’s life through the art that enriched his world.