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1 of 253523 objects
Richard Barrett Davis (1782-1854)
The Coronation Procession of William IV (X) 1831-32
Oil on canvas | 71.6 x 728.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405998
Royal Mews, The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace
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William IV’s coronation procession proceeded down Constitution Hill at 9.00 am on 8 September 1831 on its way to Westminster Abbey. This monstrous frieze (nearly four metres long) shows this moment and was commissioned by William IV. The first part was exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1832, where the accuracy of the record, including individual portraits, was much admired, though one critic wondered if the King intended to ‘build a national gallery for Mr. R. B. Davis’s long-winded discourse’. There is no record of where the King did intend to display the work, though it is recorded at Buckingham Palace in 1875.
There is no indication of how the artist originally intended to divide the work, if at all. It is now in ten sections of which this is the tenth and final one, showing the Gold State Coach itself.
The Gold State Coach, bearing the King, is drawn by eight creams,is preceded by six of the King's horses, each led by two grooms, a phalanx of Marshalmen in ranks of four, one hundred Yeomen of the Guard and twelve footmen. A division of Life Guards and Lancers follow.Provenance
Commissioned by William IV
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Creator(s)
Commissioner(s)
Subject(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
71.6 x 728.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
71.9 x 733.7 cm (historic support measurement)