Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) with her two Eldest Sons
Artist: Allan Ramsay (Scottish, 1713-1784)
Date: c. 1764-1769
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Royal Collection Trust, London, United Kingdom
Description
This is the closest any British artist gets to the elegance, subtlety and precision of French portraiture and the best candidate to represent portrait painting in the Age of Enlightenment. The sitter is shown seated at an English spinnet (which may be compared with one at the Royal College of Museum of c. 1750 made by John Hitchcock); on the instrument is a work-box and a copy of John Locke’s 'Some Thoughts Concerning Education' (1693); leaning against it is a portfolio of drawings. The Queen holds Prince Frederick, later Duke of York (1763-1827); at her knee stands Prince George, Prince of Wales (later George IV, 1762-1830), with a bow and behind him a drum.











