Sir George Hayter

1792 - 1871

The son of a miniature painter who was Professor of Perspective and Drawing to Queen Charlotte, George Hayter was tutored by his father, then went to study at the Royal Academy Schools. However, within months, he had run away to sea, only returning to his studies after patching up a disagreement with his father. He later studied in Italy, coming under the influence of Antonio Canova. Hayter specialised in portraits and historical and contemporary subject pictures, of which the present work would appear to be a study or note of an existing composition. Hayter was most productive and innovative during the 1820s. George Agar-Ellis (later Lord Dover) commissioned "The Trial of Queen Caroline", depicting George IV's attempt to divorce Queen Caroline in the House of Lords in 1820, and it was exhibited at Cauty's Great Rooms in 1823. Painted on a large scale, Hayter's first and most successful contemporary history painting revealed a taste for high drama. Hayter also had a well-established portrait practice with Royal patrons.