Statue of George IV

Statue of George IV

RDS_treasures_322_Kirk_George lV.jpg

A statue of King George IV, the subject modelled wearing the robes of a Knight of the Order of St. Patrick, standing beside a column with books, signed and dated T Kirk fecit RHA 1824 Dublin. Thomas Kirk was commissioned by the linen merchants of Dublin to sculpt a statue of the King in marble, to honour his visit to the Dublin Linen Hall on 23 August, 1821. This is the smaller of two statues of George IV in the RDS Treasures Collection. It was completed in 1821 and presented to the Society by the Linen Hall Committee in 1849. It depicts George IV in the regalia of a Knight of St Patrick. During the King’s stay in Ireland, he visited the Society’s headquarters in Leinster House, on 24 August, 1821. He inspected the museum and the library, and a reception was held in his honour, housed in marquees on Leinster Lawn. A charge was made to visitors attending the reception and this produced a substantial cash surplus after meeting all expenses. The Society decided to apply the surplus to the procuring of a statue of the King for Leinster House. Presented to the Society by the Linen Merchants of Dublin Committee in 1849.

RDS Treasures Collection

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RDS Library & Archives

Sculpture

1824

Marble, later painted

220 cm