ROYAL HERITAGE: THE STORY OF BRITAIN'S ROYAL BUILDERS AND COLLECTORS: THE FIRST THREE GEORGES {PT. 5 OF 7} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of arts documentaries exploring the history and development of architecture in England and the artistic treasures collected by the royal family. In this edition, host Huw Weldon focuses the contributions of England's first three Georgian kings and visits the sites and artifacts of the era. After the death of childless Queen Anne, the ruling political party, led by the land-owning Whigs, found a new sovereign in the nearest legitimate Protestant heir. George I was more involved in music than art, as evidenced by his patronage of Handel, but he employed William Kent to create decorative paintings at Kensington Palace, picturing members of the court along the main staircase. Kent's influence is also evident in the dignified Roman Cupola Room. George II's interest was the army, and he had unique uniforms designed for each regiment, as shown in paintings by David Maurier. His wife, Caroline of Anspach, commissioned busts devoted to British intellects from the Age of Enlightenment. Frederick, the Prince of Wales, commissioned portraits by Charles Andre VanLoo, Philip Mercier, and Charles Phillips; bought a number of Van Dycks now at Windsor; had a state barge built by William Kent; and commissioned wood carvings by James Richards. Frederick was also instrumental in creating the Royal Botanical Gardens, which includes temples, false ruins, and follies by Sir William Chambers, including an octagonal pagoda. Frederick's son became George III in 1760, and was painted by Thomas Gainsborough and John Zoffany. Prince Charles discusses George's tutelage under George Louis Scott and his views about monarchy, and then displays architectural drawings as evidence of his passion for order. In 1762 the king and his family spent lavishly on Buckingham House, now known as Buckingham Palace, acquiring a watch collection, including one by George Mudge; and the former collection of Joseph Smith, the British Consul in Venice, including works by Zuccarelli, Vermeer, Giovanni Bellini, and Canaletto. George III made Zoffany the court painter and established a large library, which became the nucleus of today's British Library at the British Museum, featuring a collection of drawings of Michelangelo and Raphael. George III patronized the china factory at Worcester, as well as Josiah Wedgwood, who produced profiles of members of his household. George III, whose official portrait was painted by Allan Ramsay, collected more of Thomas Gainsborough's works than anyone else; the king also encouraged the founding of the Royal Academy of Art. His later years were spent at Windsor, as recorded by the landscape painter Paul Sandby.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: February 24, 1978 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:26
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T78:0116
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Architecture, English; Art - Collectors and collecting; British Library, British Museum; Great Britain - History - 1714-1837; Great Britain - Kings and rulers; Great Britain - Officials - Talk/Interviews; Kensington Palace; Monarchy - Great Britain; Painting, English; Royal Botanical Gardens
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Richard Cawston … Executive Producer
- Michael Gill … Producer
- Ann Turner … Associate Producer
- David Heycock … Director
- J.H. Plumb … Writer
- Huw Wheldon … Writer, Narrator
- Giovanni Bellini
- Bernardo Bellotto Canaletto
- Caroline of Anspech, Queen of Great Britain
- William Chambers
- Charles, Prince of Wales
- Frederick, Prince of Wales
- Thomas Gainsborough
- George I, King of Great Britain
- George II, King of Great Britain
- George III, King of Great Britain
- George Frideric Handel
- William Kent
- David Maurier
- Philip Mercier
- Michelangelo
- George Mudge
- Charles Phillips
- Allan Ramsay
- Raphael
- James Richards
- Paul Sandby
- George Louis Scott
- Van Dyck, Anthony
- Charles Andre VanLoo
- Jan Vermeer
- Josiah Wedgwood
- John Zoffany
- Francesco Zuccarelli