Portrait of George IV
n.d.
Medium
Black crayon, heightened with red and white crayon, on brown wove paper
Dimensions
13.7 × 11.2 cm (5 7/16 × 4 7/16 in.)
Classification
crayon
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
97457
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This intimate portrait of King George IV by William Mulready showcases the artist’s mastery of crayon on a modest scale. Measuring just 13.7 × 11.2 cm, the drawing is executed in black crayon on brown wove paper, with delicate highlights of red and white crayon that add warmth and dimension to the king’s features. Such small works on paper often served as personal studies or presentation pieces, inviting close inspection of both subject and technique. Mulready’s handling of the medium demonstrates the expressive potential of crayon drawing, where layered strokes and subtle color accents creat...