William Sadler c.1782-1839 THE EMBARKATION OF GEORGE IV. (Click on image to enlarge).
ON this day in 1821 King George IV sailed from Dun Laoghaire harbour. This painting by the Dublin born artist William Sadler (1792-1841) captures the September 3 event. It was acquired by de Veres for a private collector at an exhibition of 18th and 19th century paintings at The Gorry Gallery. The painting is currently on view at de Veres on Kildare St. in Dublin.
The departure of the king created considerable excitement and for the next century Dun Laoghaire was known as Kingstown. George IV famously led an extravagant lifestyle both as King and Prince Regent and reportedly arrived in Ireland roaring drunk. He is believed to have visited primarily to spend time with one of his Irish mistresses, Lady Conyngham, at Slane Castle. The painting is on display with two other works, The Scholars by Gerard Dillon (1916-1971) and Interior of a Breton Bar by William John Leech (1881-1968), also acquired by de Veres for a private collector.