Her Most Excellent Majesty Charlotte, Queen of Great Britain 1762

Thomas Frye created this print of Her Majesty Queen Charlotte, likely in the 1760s. It was made using a technique called mezzotint, which allowed for rich tonal variations. Frye’s image creates meaning through conventional symbols of status. Pearls, diamonds, and lace were luxury goods that advertised the Queen’s wealth and power, while the formality of the portrait indexes the importance of the monarchy. The print was made during the reign of King George III, a period when the British monarchy was attempting to consolidate power and prestige, after earlier conflicts with parliament. Prints like this one played a role in constructing an image of royal authority. To understand this work better, we might look at studies of the British monarchy, the history of printmaking, and the structure of luxury markets in 18th-century London. Understanding the institutional and economic contexts of art helps us understand its historical meaning.