Who painted The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821?

The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821 was painted by James Stephanoff in 1821.

Where can I see The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821?

The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821 is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821?

The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821 is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821

James Stephanoff , 1821

The Coronation of King George the Fourth, July 19th, 1821 is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist James Stephanoff. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

James Stephanoff’s watercolour records the coronation ceremony of King George IV on 19 July 1821. The composition centers on the newly crowned monarch, flanked by his train‑bearers—identified as the eldest sons of the peerage—and overseen by Lord Francis Nathaniel Conyngham, who served as Master of the Robes. The work captures a moment of regal procession within a restrained interior setting.

Subject & Meaning

The painting emphasizes the hierarchical order of the British aristocracy, highlighting the role of noble heirs in supporting the sovereign’s regalia.

The painting emphasizes the hierarchical order of the British aristocracy, highlighting the role of noble heirs in supporting the sovereign’s regalia. By including the Master of the Robes, the image underscores the ceremonial responsibilities that accompany the crown, while the turned gazes of the figures suggest a collective focus on the monarch’s authority and the sanctity of the coronation rite.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, Stephanoff employs a muted palette of whites, pale golds, and soft blues, lending the scene an ethereal quality. Delicate washes define the shimmering robe and the subtle folds of the attendants’ tunics, while fine brushwork renders the scepter and scroll‑like objects. The background remains largely unadorned, allowing the figures and their ceremonial accessories to dominate the visual field.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after the 1821 coronation, the work entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century British ceremonial art. Its provenance reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving visual records of royal events, offering scholars insight into contemporary representations of monarchical power.