The Trial of Queen Caroline facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Trial of Queen Caroline |
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| Artist | George Hayter |
| Year | 1823 |
| Type | Oil on canvas, historical painting |
| Location | National Gallery, London |
The Trial of Queen Caroline is a famous painting from 1823 by a British artist named George Hayter. It shows an important event from 1820. This was when King George IV tried to end his marriage to his wife, Caroline of Brunswick. They had been living apart for a long time.
To get his divorce, King George IV asked the government to create a special law. This law was discussed in the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament. However, many people supported Queen Caroline. Because of this strong public support for her, the government decided to stop the special law. Queen Caroline remained married to King George IV until she passed away the next year.
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The Trial of Queen Caroline Painting
This painting is a type of art called a history painting. This means it shows an important event from the past. It helps us imagine what the scene looked like.
What the Painting Shows
The painting was asked for by George Agar-Ellis. He was a young politician who supported Queen Caroline. The artwork shows the sixth day of the important discussions about Queen Caroline.
Queen Caroline herself is shown sitting near the front of the picture. She is facing sideways. The painting includes many important people from that time.
Key People in the Painting
Many famous politicians are in the painting. These include Lord Holland and Earl Grey. Earl Grey is shown standing and asking questions to someone.
You can also see the Prime Minister at the time, Lord Liverpool. Other government leaders like the Duke of Wellington and Lord Castlereagh are there too. Some people who would later become Prime Minister, like William Grenville and Lord Melbourne, are also in the crowd.
Two of the King's brothers, the Duke of York and the Duke of Clarence, are also shown. The Duke of Clarence later became King William IV. George Agar-Ellis, who asked for the painting, is easy to spot on the right side. The artist, George Hayter, even included a small picture of himself in the bottom right corner!
Where to See the Painting
The painting was first shown to the public in 1823. It was displayed at a place called Cauty's Great Rooms in Pall Mall, London.
George Hayter painted other historical events too. These include the Reformed House of Commons. He also painted the Coronation and Wedding of Queen Victoria. Today, The Trial of Queen Caroline is part of the collection at the National Gallery in London. It was given to the gallery in 1912 by the Art Fund.
See also
- The Trial of William Lord Russell, 1825
- The Coronation of Queen Victoria, 1839
- The Marriage of Queen Victoria, 1842
