Lot Essay
This hitherto unpublished bust represents Princess Charlotte Augusta (1796-1817), the daughter of George, Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV, and Caroline of Brunswick. Other portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, and especially a marble bust of 1816 by Peter Turnerelli, confirm this identification (Yung, loc. cit.).
Princess Charlotte, who was heir presumptive to the throne before her untimely death in childbirth, suffered greatly as a consequence of her parents' formal separation. According to reports of those who knew her as a girl, she was bright and intelligent, very merry, but 'pepper-hot, too'. The present bust dates from 1812, the year after the establishment of her father as Prince Regent, and the year before her abortive engagement to William, hereditary Prince of Orange.
According to the Dictionary of National Biography, 'The Princess Charlotte was rather above middle height, and, although slightly pitted with small-pox, possessed considerable personal attractions. Her pale complexion and fair eyebrows and lashes, however, gave a want of colour to her face.' Under the circumstances, it might be argued that she was ideally suited to sit for a portrait bust in marble.
Princess Charlotte, who was heir presumptive to the throne before her untimely death in childbirth, suffered greatly as a consequence of her parents' formal separation. According to reports of those who knew her as a girl, she was bright and intelligent, very merry, but 'pepper-hot, too'. The present bust dates from 1812, the year after the establishment of her father as Prince Regent, and the year before her abortive engagement to William, hereditary Prince of Orange.
According to the Dictionary of National Biography, 'The Princess Charlotte was rather above middle height, and, although slightly pitted with small-pox, possessed considerable personal attractions. Her pale complexion and fair eyebrows and lashes, however, gave a want of colour to her face.' Under the circumstances, it might be argued that she was ideally suited to sit for a portrait bust in marble.