Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.22
Gallery Label:
George III became king in 1760, the first Hanoverian to be born in Britain. Feted as a young patriot king and the nation’s great hope, he declared famously: “Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton.” During his reign, Britain was transformed economically and politically, and the nation’s territories overseas were expanded dramatically in North America, India, the West Indies, and Australia. Despite the loss of the thirteen American colonies (1775–83), Britain had become the most powerful nation on earth by 1815, toward the close of his reign. This celebratory bust by John Nost III, who made his career in Dublin, was made shortly after the end of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) and shows the young king at the height of his popularity. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016
