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Notes

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The original Artaud portrait was commissioned by the sitter's son, John Frederick William Herschel in 1819. This copy was made from a painting commissioned by Bertie Greatheed, a friend of the family, while another, now in the collections of the Royal Astronomical Society, was ordered by Caroline Herschel. Caroline also ordered 25 lithographs from J. Giére in 1835 to distribute among her friends and acquaintances, showing what a success this portrait was.

It shows William aged 81 in a plain jacket wearing the ribbon of the Royal Guelphic order. The Royal Guelphic Order was an order of Chivalry introduced by the Prince Regent (later George IV). Guelphic refers to the House of Guelph to which all the Hanoverian kings belonged, and would have had special significance for William Herschel since he, like the kings, was originally from Hanover.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

Sir William Herschel (1738–1822)

Date

1820

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 76.2 x W 63.5 cm

Accession number

BHC2359

Work type

Painting

National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England

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Artist or maker

William Artaud

1763–1823

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