Reverse Painted Portrait Mezzotint King George III Engraved By Richard Purcell

King George III, Great Britain – A Rare Reverse-Painted Mezzotint on Glass after Jeremiah Meyer, engraved by Richard Purcell, London, c.1763–1765

Subject & Medium

A rare and historically important eighteenth-century reverse-painted mezzotint on glass portrait of King George III, engraved by Richard Purcell after a portrait by Jeremiah Meyer RA, published by Robert Sayer, Fleet Street, London, circa 1763–1765.

Combining fine British engraving with the highly specialised art of reverse painting on glass, this remarkable work survives as an exceptional example of Georgian decorative arts. Such portraits were among the most fashionable and costly forms of domestic decoration in eighteenth-century Britain and today are significantly rarer than conventional paper engravings.

🏛 Composition & Technique

Depicted in noble profile, the young King George III is shown wearing formal court dress and the insignia of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry.

The portrait originates from a mezzotint engraved by Richard Purcell after Jeremiah Meyer's celebrated likeness of the newly crowned monarch. The print was subsequently hand-coloured and reverse-painted on glass, a technically demanding process whereby every highlight, detail, and colour was applied in reverse sequence to the back of the glass panel before being viewed from the front.

The result is a luminous and jewel-like surface quality impossible to achieve in ordinary printed works. The survival of the complete inscription panel, together with the artist, engraver, and publisher's attributions, makes this a particularly desirable example.

About the Sitter

King George III (1738–1820) was one of Britain's most consequential monarchs, reigning for nearly sixty years from 1760 until 1820.

His reign encompassed the American War of Independence, the expansion of the British Empire, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the defeat of Napoleon. While remembered in the United States for his role during the Revolutionary period, George III remains one of the defining figures of the eighteenth century and a central figure in both British and American history.

Portraits produced during the early years of his reign served not only as images of the monarch but as symbols of authority, loyalty, and national identity throughout Britain and its colonies.

Historical Context

Published shortly after George III's accession, this portrait belongs to the golden age of British mezzotint engraving.

The work was issued by **Robert Sayer**, one of the most influential print publishers operating in London during the Georgian period. Reverse-painted glass portraits represented a more luxurious and decorative alternative to ordinary engravings and were frequently displayed in country houses, townhouses, libraries, and formal reception rooms.

Because the painted decoration was applied directly to glass, these works proved particularly vulnerable to damage over time. As a result, authentic eighteenth-century examples survive in substantially smaller numbers than their paper counterparts.

Today, museum-quality examples retaining complete inscriptions and strong decorative presentation are increasingly difficult to acquire.

🖋 About the Artist

Jeremiah Meyer RA (1735–1789) was a founding member of the Royal Academy and served as Portrait Painter to Queen Charlotte. His refined portraits became closely associated with the early Georgian court and helped define the visual image of Britain's young monarch.

The engraving was executed by Richard Purcell (c.1720–1766), one of the foremost mezzotint engravers working in Britain during the mid-eighteenth century. Purcell's work is represented in major institutional collections and remains highly regarded for its technical mastery and tonal sophistication.

The inscription "Richd. Purcil Fecit" confirms Purcell as the engraver, with the Latin *fecit* meaning *"made this".

Signed

The lower margin retains its complete original engraved inscriptions:

Meyer Pinx.

"Richd. Purcil Fecit"

Together with the title:

"George the III, King of Great Britain, &c. &c."

and the publisher's imprint for Robert Sayer of Fleet Street.

The survival of these complete inscriptions significantly enhances the work's historical importance, authenticity, and collector appeal.

🖼 Framed

Professionally conserved and presented in a bespoke Larson-Juhl moulded frame fitted with premium Artglass AR99 Water White museum glass.

This museum-grade glazing offers exceptional optical clarity, anti-reflective performance, and approximately 99% ultraviolet protection, providing an outstanding viewing experience while helping preserve the delicate painted surface for future generations.

The conservation framing alone represents a significant investment and reflects the quality of the artwork it protects.

Size

Framed

42.5 cm high × 33 cm wide × 2 cm deep

Visible Image

36 cm high × 25 cm wide

Additional dimensions information:

Framed 42.5 cm high × 33 cm wide × 2 cm deep Visible Image 36 cm high × 25 cm wide