Augustus, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843)

This portrait of Augustus, Duke of Sussex, painted in 1833 and now in the Royal Collection, depicts the sixth son of George III — a prince known for his liberal politics, his support for Catholic emancipation, and his extensive library. Wilkie, as Principal Painter in Ordinary to the Crown, occupied the summit of the British art establishment, and his royal portraits placed him at the center of the most prestigious patronage networks in Britain. As Principal Painter in Ordinary, Wilkie's ambition extended beyond the Scottish genre subjects that had made his early reputation to the more prestigious territory of royal portraiture and history painting. His encounter with Velázquez during the Spanish journey of 1827-28 had transformed his technique toward greater painterly freedom, and this royal portrait demonstrates the mature style that resulted from that transformative experience.

The portrait is rendered with expressive characterization that characterizes David Wilkie's best work. Oil on canvas provides a rich ground for the subtle gradations of flesh tone and the textural contrasts between skin, fabric, and background that give the image its convincing presence.