Sculpture bust of King George III
Date
1773
Sitter
George III King of Great Britian (1738, British)
Creator
Joseph Nollekens (1737 - 1823, British) , Sculptor
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (sculpture): 610mm
width (sculpture): 552mm
depth (sculpture): mm
height (socle): 147mm
diameter (socle): 203mm
height (pedestal): 79mm
width (pedestal): 202mm
depth (pedestal): 201mm
width (sculpture): 552mm
depth (sculpture): mm
height (socle): 147mm
diameter (socle): 203mm
height (pedestal): 79mm
width (pedestal): 202mm
depth (pedestal): 201mm
Subject
Description
Bust of George III, head turned in three quarter profile to the left as viewed. In classical style with draped shoulders, he wears buckled wig with queue. On a round marble socle upon a square marble pedestal.
Pedestal inscribed ‘GEORIVS III PATRNVS MVNIFICUS’ facing and ‘Nollekens Ft. A. MDCCLXXIII’ right side.
George William Frederick, King of Great Britian and Ireland (1738-1820) was Patron of the Royal Society from 1760.
Pedestal inscribed ‘GEORIVS III PATRNVS MVNIFICUS’ facing and ‘Nollekens Ft. A. MDCCLXXIII’ right side.
George William Frederick, King of Great Britian and Ireland (1738-1820) was Patron of the Royal Society from 1760.
Object history
Provenance: Commissioned by the Council of the Royal Society, 1773.
The commission is recorded in the Royal Society’s Minutes of Council, ‘The President reported that his Majesty having been acquainted, that there is a balance or surplus of several hundred pounds in the hands of the Council, on account of his benefaction for the late Transit of Venus: The King was graciously please to desire that it might be employed for such purposes as the council thought most agreeable to the institution of the Society. It was ordered by Ballot nemine contradicente, that a Marble Bust be made of His Majesty at the expense of the Society.’ CMO/6/71 page 159, 21 January 1773.
The commission is recorded in the Royal Society’s Minutes of Council, ‘The President reported that his Majesty having been acquainted, that there is a balance or surplus of several hundred pounds in the hands of the Council, on account of his benefaction for the late Transit of Venus: The King was graciously please to desire that it might be employed for such purposes as the council thought most agreeable to the institution of the Society. It was ordered by Ballot nemine contradicente, that a Marble Bust be made of His Majesty at the expense of the Society.’ CMO/6/71 page 159, 21 January 1773.
Associated place