This full-length portrait shows the King in his coronation robes; it is one of the numerous replicas issued by the studio of Ramsay of the coronation portrait Ramsay painted in 1761. The original painting, painted entirely by Allan Ramsay, remains in the Royal Collection. Ramsay was also commissioned to paint a companion portrait of King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte.

The King and members of the aristocracy commissioned the royal portraits for ambassadors and colonial governors. Many of these paintings found their way to Britain’s newly acquired colonial territories.

There was high demand for these portraits. Ramsay’s studio records show orders for 150 pairs, 26 of the King alone and nine of the Queen alone – although many of these paintings were the three-quarter length version not full-length as in Bendigo’s collection.

Ramsay resolved to ‘give the last painting to all of them with my own hand’ but employed several assistants, the best of whom were David Martin and Philip Reinagle. The King is depicted with all the accoutrements of his position – the coronation robes, the chain and ribbon of the Order of the Garter and the State crown.

This incredible painting was donated to the Gallery in 1985 on the proviso it was displayed at the Bendigo Law Courts where it was hung for almost 20 years. Over the years the painting deteriorated significantly due to inherent flaws in the canvas as well as fluctuations in light, temperature and humidity.

The Gallery is hoping to undertake conservation on the painting including stabilising the paint layer and consolidating any losses, removing old and discoloured varnish and regilding the frame. Through the conservation process and analysis, the curatorial team is hoping to be able to uncover the provenance of the painting and find out how a British work painted in c. 1761 ended up in Bendigo in 1985!