King George I. Engraving by B. Picart, 1714.

[Amsterdam] (Worden verkogt op de Cyngel ten huise van B. Picart in de star) : B. Picart, [1714]

1 print : engraving, with etching ; oval platemark around portrait 24.5 x 21 cm, rectangular platemark around attributes 42.5 x 26.2 cm

Georgius I.us D.G. Magnae Britan(n)iae Franc. et Hib. rex. Defensor fidei. Dux Brunsvic. et Lunaeb. dux S.R.I. Archithes.rio. et Elector &c &c &c. B. Picart effigiem sculpsit 1714. Lettering continues below: "Georgio I.mo augustissimo Magnae Britanniae Franc. et Hib. regi, defensori fidei, duci Brunsvic. et Lunaeb. S.R.I. Archithesaurario et Electori. Antiquae et regiae stirpis, omnes fere orbis europaei domos augustas sanguinis et arctissimae necessitudinis vinculo complexae, gloria, in sublimi fastigio posita; sed multo magis propriiis heroicae virtutis laudibus inclyto: quum maximum principem divina providentia in solio britannico, excelsae domui hanoveranae, omni jure, et publica auctoritate ac suffragatione debito, collocasset: ut Georgius rex religionem puriorem, libertatem publicam, ac securitatem orbis, deo auspice et virtute duce, vindicaret: atque adeo temporum felicitatem postliminio restitueret: hoc pietatis et demisissimi cultus monumentum L.M.Q.D.D.D. augustissimi nominis eius et reg. maiestatis devotissimus cultor B. Picartus, chalcographus." Translation of lettering: To George I most sacred king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, archtreasurer and elector of the Holy Roman Empire. The glory of ancient and regal stock embracing almost all the great houses of the European world by the tie of blood and the closest obligation, placed in the highest position, but much more celebrated for the acclamation of his own heroic virtue; since divine providence had placed him as the greatest prince of the exalted house of Hanover on the British throne by all due law, by public authority and vote, so that, as King George, he might reclaim the cleansed religion, public liberty and security of the world, with the favour of God and under the leadership of virtue, and thus restore the happiness of the age; this reminder of piety and the humblest reverence ... the most devoted worshipper of his most august name and royal majesty, B. Picart, engraver.

Freeman O'Donoghue, Catalogue of engraved British portraits preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, London 1910, vol. 2. p. 295 no. 37

Wellcome Collection 2156092i