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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
His Majesty King George VI
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

His Majesty King George VI

Artifact IDMO 1975.90a
Object Type Print
Artist (British artist and printmaker, 1881-1967)
Date1937
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsframe H 21 1/4 in x W 18 1/4 in x D 3/4 in (54 cm x 46.4 cm x 1.9 cm)
 mat H 19 in x W 14 in (48.3 cm x 35.6 cm)
Physical DescriptionA color print of a portrait painting of British monarch, King George VI. The portrait shows His Majesty standing (from the knees up) dressed in his Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet full dress uniform including medals and badges, a cocked hat, cloak, and sword. The background of the painting is formed of the sea and sky. The artist's facsimile signature is in the lower right corner: Frank E. Beresford / 1937. Printed on the artwork sheet, below the portrait, is the title of the work: HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI / Painted by Frank Beresford.

The print is double matted and framed in a modern 1/4" silver aluminum frame with acrylic glazing. Included in the frame is the print’s original light green mat with hand-inked borders and the original ink signature of the artist in the lower right corner (not visible as framed): Frank E. Beresford. Printed at the bottom of the mat is the title and artist's information: His Majesty King George VI. / From the Painting by Frank E. Beresford. The frame also includes a second, non-original mat in red.
Historical NoteThis print is from an original oil on canvas painting of the United Kingdom's King George VI by artist Frank E. Beresford, created for English magazine, Country Life. The painting was completed shortly before the May 12, 1937 coronation of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth. Beresford also completed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth at the same time, a print of which is also in the FDR Library's artifact collection (see MO 1975.90b).

Reproductions of both portraits appeared in a supplement of the April 17th, 1937 Coronation issue of Country Life magazine (see MO 1998.30).
Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
CopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view