George III (1738–1820), King of England (1760–1820)

Catherine Andras sculpted this wax relief portrait of King George III sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Andras, working in a field dominated by men, achieved renown for her wax portraits. Consider the implications of a woman artist portraying a powerful male monarch during a period of immense social and political change. As King, George III ruled over a country grappling with revolution and the rise of democratic ideals both in America and France. How might Andras, as a woman navigating a patriarchal society, have viewed the King and his role? The wax medium itself is interesting. Wax is ephemeral and easily melted; it is a poignant choice for representing a figure of authority and power. The choice of wax might be interpreted as a subtle commentary on the fleeting nature of power. This small, intimate portrait invites us to reflect on the complexities of gender, power, and representation.