18th Century King George III Reverse-Painted Mezzotint on Glass After Jeremiah Meyer Ra, Engraved by Richard Purcell, London

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King George III Reverse-Painted Mezzotint on Glass after Jeremiah Meyer RA, Engraved by Richard Purcell, London, Circa 1763–1765

A rare … Read more King George III Reverse-Painted Mezzotint on Glass after Jeremiah Meyer RA, Engraved by Richard Purcell, London, Circa 1763–1765

A rare and important Georgian reverse-painted mezzotint on glass depicting **King George III**, engraved by **Richard Purcell** after a portrait by **Jeremiah Meyer RA**, and published by **Robert Sayer of Fleet Street, London**, circa 1763–1765.

This exceptional eighteenth-century portrait combines the refined tonal qualities of British mezzotint engraving with the highly specialized decorative art of reverse painting on glass. Considerably rarer than surviving paper impressions, reverse-painted glass portraits were among the most fashionable luxury furnishings of the Georgian period and were frequently displayed in country houses, libraries, drawing rooms, and formal reception interiors.

The young monarch is portrayed in noble profile wearing court dress and the insignia of the **Most Noble Order of the Garter**. The luminous jewel-like surface is characteristic of period reverse glass painting, a demanding technique in which all details and colors were applied in reverse sequence to the back of the glass before viewing from the front.

The lower inscription panel remains intact, retaining the original engraved title and attributions including:

*Meyer Pinx.*

*"Richd. Purcil Fecit"*

*"George the III, King of Great Britain, &c. &c."*

along with the publisher's imprint for Robert Sayer, Fleet Street, London.

Jeremiah Meyer (1735–1789), a founding member of the Royal Academy and Portrait Painter to Queen Charlotte, was among the most important portraitists associated with the early reign of George III. Richard Purcell (c.1720–1766) remains one of the leading British mezzotint engravers of the eighteenth century.

Professionally conserved and presented in a bespoke Larson-Juhl frame fitted with premium **Artglass AR99 Water White museum glass**, providing exceptional clarity and approximately 99% UV protection.

**Provenance**

* Private Collection, United Kingdom
* Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers, Lot 656
* Privately exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire
* Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

**Dimensions**

Framed:
16.75 in. H × 13 in. W × 0.8 in. D
(42.5 cm H × 33 cm W × 2 cm D)

Visible Image:
14.2 in. H × 9.8 in. W
(36 cm H × 25 cm W) See less