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Christian Friedrich Zincke (1683/4-1767)

Princess Amelia (1711-1786) as a Child Oct 1714?

Enamel | 3.4 x 2.7 cm (sight) (sight) | RCIN 421806

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  • Amelia was the third child and second daughter of George II and Caroline of Ansbach. This portrait, painted from life, shows the Princess about four years old and was probably painted at the time of her grandfather's coronation as George I in 1714. She and her sisters, Anne and Caroline, accompanied their parents to England. Her older brother, Frederick, was left in Hanover.

    Family discord characterised Amelia's childhood. In December 1717, her parents were ordered to leave St James's Palace by George I. The King insisted, however, that the children remain. The Prince of Wales, Amelia's father, resorted to legal action to gain access to his children, but in England the royal grandchildren belonged to the crown and he could not force the King to return them. The King and Prince were reconciled in 1720, but Amelia and her sisters remained in the King's household. In 1722, Amelia and Caroline attracted considerable publicity when they were inoculated against smallpox – an innovation brought to England recently by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.

    The artist, Christian Frederick Zincke (1683/4-1767), was born in Dresden, the son of a goldsmith. He settled in England in 1706 and studied enamel painting under Charles Boit. Boit was Enamel Painter to the Court until Queen Anne died in 1714 when he moved to France and Zincke took over much of his work. Zincke developed a thriving business, at first copying portraits by Sir Peter Lely and Sir Godfrey Kneller, then painting from life. He worked extensively for the royal family and, perhaps because he spoke German, was one of the few artists George II could tolerate. By 1730 he was well established at court and in February 1732, was appointed Cabinet Painter to Frederick, Prince of Wales, George II's eldest son. His eyesight began to fail, however, and he lamented: 'I find my Eyes scarce Capable of seeing them fine strokes'. By 1752 he had retired and only painted for his own pleasure. George II commented that Zincke's portraits were 'beautiful and like'. 
    Provenance

    Probably in the Royal Collection since it was painted; first certainly recorded in 1858

  • Medium and techniques

    Enamel

    Measurements

    3.4 x 2.7 cm (sight) (sight)

    4.6 x 4.0 cm (frame, external)


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