A miniature portrait of the young George IV in a gold frame. He has a solemn expression, powdered hair, and wears a red military uniform with blue collar, white cravat, and the Star of the Order of the Garter pinned to his breast. The frame has a decorative leaf pattern.

George IV when Prince of Wales

Jeremiah Meyer

c.1777-89

Watercolour on ivory

5.9 x 4.8 cm

RCIN 420954

Image credit: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021

The German artist Jeremiah Meyer was a favourite of George III and Queen Charlotte. This portrait of their son, George, Prince of Wales is one of many miniatures he painted of the royal family.

It was made when George was a teenager, around the same time he began an affair with the actress Mary Robinson.

In her Memoirs, Robinson claimed George had sent her his ‘portrait in miniature, painted by the late Mr Meyer’ during their courtship, with the motto ‘Unalterable to my Perdita through life’. It is likely Robinson's miniature was a version of this composition.

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Jonathan Law

2021

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Thomas Gainsborough

1781

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