Synopses & Reviews
2014 marks the three-hundredth anniversary of the succession of the House of Hanover to the British throne. In celebration of this historic milestone,
The First Georgians explores the rich artistic patronage of the early Hanoverian period. Georges I and II, along with Queen Caroline and Frederick, Prince of Wales, were all great patrons of the arts and together they amassed a broad and diverse collection of works. From sculptures, paintings, and miniatures to fascinating examples of the applied arts, including maps, crowns, books, and clocks, their collections reflect the spirit of the early Georgian era.
This catalog showcases three hundred full-color photographs of the finest works from among the collection, many of which have never before been published or made available for public display. Produced in Germany, France, and Britain during one of the most dramatic periods of change across all aspects of political, intellectual, and cultural life, the works reflect changing views of science, politics, and art throughout the early to mid-eighteenth centuryand#151;the period when modern Britain was coming into being.
Despite the depth of this collection and its cultural importance, artistic production during the early Hanoverian period has been less well-documented than during the late Hanoverian period. With this volume, Desmond Shawe-Taylor directs our attention to this relatively neglected period.
Review
andldquo;An outstanding resource for scholars teaching the eighteenth century and researching social, cultural, economic, and artistic change. It is beautifully illustratedandmdash;opening with genealogical tables and maps of Europe and Hanoverandmdash;and both literally and academically weighty. The volume will have a wide impact as it takes readers from the andlsquo;first Georgesandrsquo; and their palaces down to the guns wielded and trade cards exchanged by their subjects.andrdquo;
Synopsis
In 1714 George Ludwig, the fifty-eight-year-old elector of Brunswick-Luneburg, became, as George I, the first of the Hanoverian dynasty to rule Britain. Until his death in 1727 George served as both elector of Hanover and British monarch. An enigmatic figure whose real character has long been concealed by anti-Hanoverian propaganda, George emerges in this groundbreaking biography as an impressive ruler who welcomed the responsibilities the accession brought him and set out to bring culture to what he considered the unsophisticated English nation.
Ragnhild Hattonand#8217;s biography is the only comprehensive account of Georgeand#8217;s life and reign. It draws on a wide range of archival sources in several languages to illuminate the fascinating details of Georgeand#8217;s early life and dynastic crises, his plans and ambitions for the British nation, the impact of his rationalist ideas, and his accomplishments as king. The book also examines the kingand#8217;s private life, his family relationships in both Prussia and England, his private interest in music and the arts, and the improvement of his British and Hanoverian properties.
Synopsis
George I, the first of the Hanoverian dynasty to rule Britain, served as both elector of Hanover and British monarch from 1714 to his death in 1727. This groundbreaking biography--the only comprehensive account of George's life and reign--reveals the king as an impressive ruler who welcomed the responsibilities of his dual role and set out to bring culture to what he considered the unsophisticated English nation.
Synopsis
This comprehensive catalogue considers the artistic patronage of the first Hanoverian monarchs, as well as the works acquired by Queen Caroline and Frederick, Prince of Wales, many of which have never been seen publically or catalogued fully before. It includes works produced in Britain, France and Germany during their reigns and explores all aspects of life, science, politics and art during this 'revolutionary' period.
About the Author
Desmond Shawe-Taylorand#160;is Surveyor of The Queenandrsquo;s Pictures, Royal Collection Trust.Kate Heard is curator of prints and drawings in the Royal Collection Trust and deputy editor of the Journal of the History of Collections.Kathryn Jones is Curator of Decorative Arts, Royal Collection Trust, and the author of For the Royal Table: Dining at the Palace.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Genealogical Tables
Maps
1. Ruling a Free Nation
Desmond Shawe-Taylor
2. Houses, Palaces and Gardens: The First Georgians and Architecture
Wolf Burchard
3. A and#8216;Wondrous Gameand#8217;: The Early Georgians at War
Kate Heard
4. and#8216;Prints should be prized as Authors should be readand#8217;: Hogarth and Graphic Art
Kate Heard
5. Furniture and Interiors in the Royal Palaces 1714-1760
Rufus Bird
6. The and#8216;Battle of the Picturesand#8217;
Desmond Shawe-Taylor
7. and#8216;An Amiable Philosopher on the Throneand#8217;: Queen Caroline and the Encouragement of Learning
Kathryn Jones and Desmond Shawe-Taylor
8. and#8216;Curious Limningsand#8217;: Portrait Miniatures in the Early Georgian Period
Vanessa Remington
9. and#8216;An Honour to our Nationand#8217;: The Rise of a British School
Desmond Shawe-Taylor
10. The and#8216;Irresistible Tide of Luxuryand#8217;
Kathryn Jones
11. Dining at Court
Kathryn Jones
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Photographic Credits
Colophon