Portrait of George IV (1762-1830), when Prince of Wales, small full-length, in Windsor uniform, with the star and sash of the Order of the Garter, resting his hand on a Bicorne hat, a draped window and landscape beyond

Stroehling grew up in Düsseldorf, and later travelled throughout Europe, refining his brand of highly-finished portraits and history paintings for patrons including Catherine the Great, Tsar Peter I and the Prince of Liechtenstein. He probably arrived in London in the early 19th century and, from 1810 to 1820, was ‘Historical Painter’ to George IV. Here, we see the King when Prince of Wales, wearing the star and sash of the Order of the Garter in a form of the Windsor Uniform, introduced by George III who adopted it as his primary form of dress for much of his life. Consisting of a blue jacket with red cuffs and collar, it was originally intended to be worn by members of the royal family, but was subsequently adopted by those close to court.

In May 1809, Stroehling submitted a bill for 'Cabinet Pictures for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales', including ‘a Picture of the Prince in the Uniform of Winsor [sic]’, for 100 guineas (Windsor, Royal Archives, GEO/MAIN/26845-26851). In the same bill are listed portraits of the Prince’s sisters, brothers and parents for 200 guineas each, of very similar dimensions to the present work (Royal Collection, RCINs 404869, 404870, 404864, 403023, 404863, 405046, 404865, 404866, 404868). The paintings in this group all demonstrate similar compositions, with the sitters posing in elaborate interiors, draped with curtains and architectural backgrounds beyond. George IV understood the power of portraiture in constructing personal image, and as an expression of dynasty and patriotism. He also commissioned portraits for private reasons, including as tokens of love and friendship for exchange and as gifts; it is possible that was the original function of this portrait.

The reverse of the plate is stamped 'WHITTOW&HARRIS / No 31 SHOE LANE / LONDON', which gives us a creation date of 1796-1825, when Whittow & Harris were active at Shoe Lane. With the exception of the portrait of Princess Amelia (RCIN 404871), all of the portraits in the Royal Collection of George IV's parents and siblings by Stroehling bear the same copper stamp.