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Primary sourcePainting6 November 1817

King George III, Etching by Wilson Lowry after M. C. Wyatt

Matthew Coates Wyatt · 6 November 1817

An 1817 etching portraying King George III in profile, made during his lifetime and bearing a solemn quotation about remembering him.

This 1817 etching depicts George III late in life and was made while he was still alive, with a solemn message about his legacy.

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Sepia etching of an elderly bearded man with long flowing hair, shown in profile facing right. Below him is the inscription 'When we forget him may God forget us', 'Drawn by M.C. Wyatt and Engraved by Wilson Lowry', and 'Nov 6 1817'.
Matthew Coates Wyatt (drawing), Wilson Lowry (engraving), King George III, 1817. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This is an etching of King George III, drawn by Matthew Coates Wyatt and engraved by Wilson Lowry, published in London on 6 November 1817. It is held today by the Wellcome Collection.

The print shows an elderly, bearded man with long flowing hair, shown in profile. Below the portrait is an inscription attributed to Lord Thurlow: "When we forget him may God forget us."

Why it matters

Made near the end of George III's long reign, this image reflects how the king was remembered by his contemporaries, including the artist Wyatt and engraver Lowry who produced it. The solemn quotation suggests the print was meant to honour his memory.

Look closer

  • Why might the artist have chosen to show the king in profile rather than facing forward?
  • What does the quotation tell you about how some people wanted the king to be remembered?
  • What does this print leave out about the king's life and reign?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George III on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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