Portrait of George, Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederick, later Duke of York - Benjamin West
Archival giclée
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Description
A formal double portrait by Benjamin West depicting the young Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick in their Garter robes.
Benjamin West, an American painter who spent the majority of his career in London, produced this double portrait of the young princes in 1778. The work depicts George, Prince of Wales, who would later become King George IV, alongside his younger brother, Prince Frederick, Duke of York. West was a favourite of King George III, and this commission reflects the formal requirements of royal portraiture during the late eighteenth century.
The composition follows the conventions of the Grand Manner, a style that sought to elevate the subject through classical references and dignified poses. George, the elder brother, stands in a dominant position, draped in the ermine-trimmed robes of the Garter. His posture is relaxed yet authoritative, with his arm resting upon a stone plinth. Prince Frederick stands to his right, wearing the blue velvet mantle of the Order of the Garter, his gaze directed towards his brother. The inclusion of the Garter insignia serves to identify their status and royal lineage.
West employs a controlled palette, focusing on the textures of the heavy fabrics and the metallic sheen of the gold embroidery. The background features a dark, sweeping curtain and a classical column, elements common in portraiture of the period to suggest a setting of grandeur and stability. The floor is rendered with a geometric, chequered pattern, which provides a sense of depth and perspective to the scene. The lighting is directed to illuminate the faces of the two princes, drawing the viewer's attention to their youthful features and the formal attire they wear. This painting remains a clear example of the formal portrait style favoured by the British monarchy during the reign of George III, capturing the two princes at a specific moment in their youth before their respective roles in public life were fully realised.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
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- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
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Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Portrait of George, Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederick, later Duke of York - Benjamin West
Artist Biography
Benjamin West
He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738, a Quaker-raised boy from the colonies who became the second president of the Royal Academy in London, holding the post for twenty-eight years. He arrived in England in 1763 after studying in Italy and quickly gained the patronage of George III, serving as the king's historical painter from 1772 to 1801.
He trained a generation of American painters in London, including Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, Samuel Morse and John Trumbull. Each returned to America and shaped the new nation's visual culture. West stayed in London and died there in 1820, at eighty-one.
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