Not currently on display at the V&A

Portrait of King George V

Painting
ca. 1911 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This Company painting is a portrait of King George V, who succeeded his father, Edward VII, in 1910. The painting is probably based on an illustration in a magazine, perhaps one issued to commemorate his coronation on 22 June, 1911 or, more likely, the Delhi durbar, which took place in the following December and was attended by King George and Queen Mary as part of their state visit to India, the first by a reigning British monarch. It was on this occasion that the couple were formally proclaimed Emperor and Empress of India and the decision was announced to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.

'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePortrait of King George V (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Gouache on paper
Brief description
Painting, King George V stands bare-headed; red tunic; gold epaulettes, Delhi ca.1911
Physical description
King George V stands bare-headed wearing a red tunic with gold epaulettes, a blue sash and many decorations, his left hand resting on his sword hilt.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22cm
  • Width: 16cm
Style
Subjects depicted
Summary
This Company painting is a portrait of King George V, who succeeded his father, Edward VII, in 1910. The painting is probably based on an illustration in a magazine, perhaps one issued to commemorate his coronation on 22 June, 1911 or, more likely, the Delhi durbar, which took place in the following December and was attended by King George and Queen Mary as part of their state visit to India, the first by a reigning British monarch. It was on this occasion that the couple were formally proclaimed Emperor and Empress of India and the decision was announced to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.

'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.
Bibliographic reference
Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992 168 p. ISBN 0944142303
Collection
Accession number
IS.44-1979

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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